Shark Attack Florida: Veteran Surfer Stephen Schafer Killed in Atlantic Attack Experts Call Rare

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP/The Stuart News/Chris Schultz)

STUART, Fla. (CBS/AP) A veteran water sports enthusiast, Stephen Schafer, was killed in a shark attack while kiteboarding in Florida's ocean waters, the first fatal shark attack for the state in five years, experts said.

Photo: Stephen Schafer.

PICTURES: Kiteboarder Killed By Sharks

The Martin County Sheriff's Office said a lifeguard first saw the 38-year-old Schafer in distress Wednesday about 500 yards from shore, near the town of Stuart, about 100 miles north of Miami.

The lifeguard paddled out and found several sharks encircling Schafer, put him on his rescue board and paddled back to shore. Paramedics took Schafer to a hospital, where he later died.

While swimmers and surfers often receive minor bites in Florida waters, officials say fatal shark attacks are extremely rare.

Research scientist Grant Gilmore told Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers the attackers were likely juvenile great white sharks.

A childhood friend of Schafer's said it was unusual for him to be in the water alone. Teague Taylor said, "it's hard to believe...(he) would make that one mistake."

Despite the deadly attack, beaches in the area remained open Thursday.

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PICTURES: Kiteboarder Killed By Sharks

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by bahiamar31 February 6, 2010 9:17 PM EST: "Everybody (but inketolstoy) has missed the biggest story here. That is the Gutsiest Life guard on the coast. No one even got his name." I want to know and meet this guy, he deserves a good samaritan award! Not many people would have been able to accomplish this unbeliveable save! Be careful when swimming not only are shark attacks possible and can strike when you least expect but boat accidents with swimmers are very common as well. Don't go in the water.; Reply to this comment


by Empire-George- February 5, 2010 2:37 PM EST: by bubbajill February 4, 2010 6:18 PM EST

I live in Stuart Florida and am dismayed the beaches were not closed.
________________

Read on page 2, what Rharrin said when I questioned why the 'nearby' beaches weren't closed, when they have schools of Juvenile Great White sharks eating a surfer close by.; Reply to this comment


by Empire-George- February 5, 2010 2:34 PM EST: by ToolMangler1 February 4, 2010 7:48 PM EST

Everybody (but inketolstoy) has missed the biggest story here. That is the Gutsiest Life guard on the coast. No one even got his name.
_________________

I appreciate your point, however I don't see it that way....he's a life guard....that's his job, to save people who are in distress....did he have any other choice ? sit there and do nothing ?

So, I'm one of those that when someone just "does their job" like they are paid to do, there is no heroism going on here.....heroism would be a swimmer, (not a guard) swimming out, among the sharks to rescue the guy....not to belittle the life-guard's rescue, but he paddled out (not swam) and achieve his rescue, like all Coast Guard divers do everyday, and other Emergency personell, who are never even mentioned on a daily basis.; Reply to this comment


by internet_killed_tv_star February 5, 2010 7:22 AM EST: where's the crime element? Edecio... your stretchin'... but i'll allow it :); Reply to this comment


by internet_killed_tv_star February 5, 2010 7:18 AM EST: woah... this is crazy! jaws anyone?; Reply to this comment


by th9876 February 4, 2010 9:44 PM EST: People need to understand - the ocean is not a playground, it is a wilderness. If you wish to continue to use it as a playground, play at your own risk and stop being so surprised when something like this happens. Yes it is sad and I am sorry for such a waste of a life - sorry for his family.; Reply to this comment


by pensacola8-2009 February 4, 2010 8:51 PM EST: I live in Florida, too. Sharks attack when they are hungry and feel confident they will succeed in taking a meal opportunity.

Many divers feed sharks, and fisherman chum waters for sharks. Such feeding practices are not natural. This practice alters shark behavior by making them more confident they will succeed in approaching humans for meal opportunities. That fisherman chumming waters from his boat is making sharks exhibit no fear to approach bathers.

This same practice of shark feeding has the same effect on alligator feeding, stray dog feeding, or pidgeon feeding. Conditioning animals to have no fear of people and approach people for food is not wise.

It is especially dangerous when an animal conditioned by a human adult approaches a human child who doesn't know why the animal approached it. Since size matters in the animal kingdom, this is why children are attacked and eaten.

Stupid human adults are upsetting the animal behavior equilibrium that gave humans the advantage for centuries.

Unless education and public outcry calls for behavioral modification of humans, we will see more human loss of life to animals, who exhibit great capacity for behavior modification themselves.; Reply to this comment


by IndepTex20 February 4, 2010 7:04 PM EST: Hey............sharks have to eat too!; Reply to this comment


by vampares-2009 February 4, 2010 6:42 PM EST: nuef; Reply to this comment

by bubbajill February 4, 2010 6:18 PM EST

I live in Stuart Florida and am dismayed the beaches were not closed. There are alot of tourists in town with children. That might be the reason they did not close them. THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE EXCUSE!!! PEOPLES LIVES ARE IN DANGER.

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by Skruffy1 February 4, 2010 8:51 PM EST: I tried to ask CBS why the "CRIMESIDER" banner over this story, but wasn't able to post my comment.

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