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Fatal Shark Attack at Surf Beach

Victim Killed at Around 11 a.m. Tuesday

Originally published 1:15 p.m., October 23, 2012
Updated 4:33 p.m., October 23, 2012
By Indy Staff

[UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.]: The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department has identified the victim in this morning’s shark attack as 39-year-old Francisco Solorio Jr. of Orcutt. The initial investigation shows Solorio — one of four surfers at Surf Beach at the time — was bitten in the upper torso area. One of his friends witnessed the attack and swam over to help while another surfer called 9-1-1. The friend administered CPR on the beach and Vandenberg Air Force Base paramedics soon arrived, but Solorio was declared dead at the scene. The shark’s size and species are not currently known. All Vandenberg beaches are closed until further notice.

[ORIGINAL REPORT]: A surfer was attacked and killed by a shark at around 11 this morning at Surf Beach in Lompoc.

The incident occurred close to Vandenberg Air Force Base, but a spokesperson there confirmed the man was not affiliated with the base. The victim’s friend called 9-1-1 right after the attack — which has been pinpointed to a location 500 yards north of Surf Station — and medical personnel only recently stopped resuscitation measures. No other details have been released at this point.

The incident comes two years after — nearly to the day — a 19-year-old UCSB student named Lucas Ransom was killed by a shark at Surf Beach. He was boogie-boarding with a friend October 22, 2010, when what experts say was a great white shark bit into his leg and pulled him under the water. There have been numerous great white sightings throughout Santa Barbara County this summer and into the fall.

No other information about this morning’s incident is currently available, but check back soon for more details.