Young boy's death marks the second attack at Village Beach in as many days

On this 4th of July weekend, Village Beach was teeming with families and the water was full of playing children when a young boy was attacked this afternoon while floating on a raft.

The happy shrieks of the boy's friends playing around him soon changed to screams of parents rushing to pull their sons and daughters from the blood-filled water. No other injuries related to this attack have been reported.

The young boy, identified as Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court in Amity, is believed to have been killed, although his body has still not been recovered. The raft he had been floating on at the time of the attack floated ashore with what Police Chief Martin P. Brody claims looked like a bite taken out of it.

In a press release, Brody said that the attacks appears to have been a "vicious and unprovoked shark attack", although he stresses this has not been proven.

The boy's mother, Marian Ferguson, who was at the beach when her son was attacked, is currently being treated for shock at Amity Hospital where her condition is listed as fair.

Brody said that he believes the death of Wendy Watson, whose body was discovered washed up on Village Beach this morning severely mauled, may have also been linked to a possible shark attack, although the investigation of her death is still ongoing at this time.

A press conference held by Brody, Mayor Farley, and the Amity Board of Selectmen will take place today at 5 p.m. in Town Hall. At that time, a request will be made by Chief Brody to close all the beaches on the island.