Florida Naval Shark Attack
Naval Base Employee Suffers Severe Injuries in Florida Shark Attack Caught on Camera
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A civilian employee at a Florida Navy base was critically injured Monday after a shark mauled both of his arms while he snorkeled during his lunch break, and the terrifying attack was caught on video. NBC News reported the victim, a man in his late 20s, was snorkeling with a colleague at the Naval Support Activity Panama City marina in the Florida Panhandle when the attack occurred at around 11:45 AM on June 8, 2026.
Bystanders heard the man screaming "Help!" before rushing to pull him from the water. He was rushed to HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital, where surgeons were forced to amputate one arm and perform extensive reconstructive surgery on the other. He remains in critical condition.
Shark Strikes Twice Inside Active Navy Marina
The victim and a colleague had entered the water near the base's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Marina for a scheduled lunch-hour snorkeling session. The shark — believed to be a bull shark — struck the man twice, severely injuring both arms. A 911 call was placed at 11:46 AM, initially reported as a possible drowning before witnesses clarified it was a shark attack, according to NBC Bay Area.
Navy fire and emergency crews arrived within minutes and provided life-saving aid to control heavy bleeding. Video shared after the attack showed at least two sharks in St. Andrews Bay as emergency sirens wailed in the background. The victim's colleague was uninjured and is cooperating with investigators.
Navy Command Responds, Base Swimming Temporarily Shut Down
NSA Panama City Commanding Officer Tristan Oliveria offered condolences to the victim's family. "Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family," Oliveria said, adding that "the safety of all our personnel" remains the command's top priority. The Navy has since temporarily restricted all swimming at the MWR Marina while the investigation continues.
NBC Boston reported the victim is a four-year employee of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division. Officials are now reviewing recreational swimming policies at the base, which serves more than 4,000 personnel and family members who regularly use its waterfront facilities.
Bull Shark Breeding Season Raises Red Flags for This Region
Marine experts say the timing and location were a dangerous combination. St. Andrews Bay serves as a nursery for several shark species, including bull sharks and hammerheads. Early June marks the peak of bull shark breeding season in the Gulf of Mexico. Marinas also attract sharks because fish remains from cleaning stations draw them close to shore.
NBC Connecticut noted that the incident drew comparisons to June 2024 shark attacks in nearby Walton County, where three people — including teenager Lulu Gribbin — lost limbs. Experts at the Florida Museum of Natural History say murky water likely contributed to a "mistaken identity" bite, though witnesses described the attack as violent, with the shark striking the victim twice.
Viral 'Help!' Video Fuels Push for Shark Warning Systems
The bystander footage spread quickly on social media, prompting renewed calls for mandatory public alerts when shark attacks occur near Florida beaches and bases. Advocates are pushing for "Shark Warning" flags or mobile alert systems similar to rip current warnings across the Florida Panhandle. Florida is already known as the shark attack capital of the world, with 50 to 90 unprovoked shark bites reported globally each year, according to the International Shark Attack File.
Local officials worry the viral video — set to the backdrop of sirens and screams of "Help!" — could dampen tourism as Bay County enters its peak summer season. NBC Chicago reported that the joint investigation between the Navy, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and NOAA is ongoing, with a formal identification of the shark species expected within days.
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