A 16-year-old Jamaican boy was tragically killed in a rare shark attack while swimming alone off the coast of the Caribbean island, according to local authorities. The body of Jahmari Reid was discovered by divers on Tuesday morning, a day after he disappeared during a solo spearfishing trip near the tourist hotspot of Montego Bay.
Witnesses reported to the Jamaica Observer that the teenager’s body was severely mutilated, with his left arm and head missing. The gruesome discovery has shocked the local community, with the boy’s father, Michael Reid, expressing his disbelief and sorrow to local media.
A tiger shark was seen in the tropical waters where the remains of Jahmari’s arm were found, leading rescue teams to believe that this ocean predator was responsible for the attack. Despite attempts by divers and fishermen to shoot the shark, they were unsuccessful. They had hoped to recover Jahmari’s missing head from the shark’s stomach.
Jahmari, a high school student, was spearfishing alone early on Monday when the incident occurred, as reported by the police. Despite his father’s repeated objections to the water sport, Jahmari was a passionate spearfisher.
Michael Reid expressed his frustration and grief over his son’s hobby, stating that they often argued about it. He said Jahmari was not spearfishing out of necessity, but because he enjoyed it.
Experts believe the shark may have been following a cruise ship before it spotted Jahmari. Fritz Christie, President of Falmouth Fisherfolks Benevolent Society, urged caution when diving near ships, describing the attack as “crazy.”
Shark attacks are extremely rare in Jamaica. The Florida-based International Shark Attack File reports that since 1749, only three unprovoked shark attacks have been recorded near the island nation.