Great white shark killed surfer in Santa Barbara County, officials say

SURF BEACH, near Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities said the shark that killed a surfer off Surf Beach in Santa Barbara County on Tuesday was a great white shark.

Officials released a photo showing the shark's teeth marks on the victim's surf board. Francisco Javier Solorio Jr., 39, died after being bitten on the upper torso by a shark said to be at least 15 feet in length.

The shark attack was reported just before 11 a.m. Tuesday. Solorio's friend, who was also surfing, witnessed the attack, swam over to Solorio and pulled him to shore. He administered first aid while another surfer called 911.

Vandenberg Air Force Base Fire Department personnel took over emergency procedures. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friends say Soloria, who was from Orcutt, had ridden the waves at Surf Beach since he was a boy.

This is the second deadly shark attack on the same beach in the past two years.

Get more California News »

california news

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•