Shark Attack Kills California Surfer

A California surfer was mauled and killed by a shark off the Santa Barbara coast today, officials said. The victim was 40, but not immediately identified. The shark moved in for the kill shortly before 11 a.m. PT as the victim was surfing near Surf Beach in Lompoc, Calif., according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. That is near Vandenberg Air Force Base. A fellow surfer pulled the victim from the water, called 911 and started first aid procedures until the Vandenberg Air Force Base Fire Department arrived, police said. Air base spokeswoman Lt. Mary Vasta did not state the cause of death, saying only, "[Paramedics] started CPR and then ceased CPR, and we are not sure why they did that." But Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Marc Williams confirmed he had been bitten by a shark and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Williams said a shark expert would try to determine what kind of shark was involved on Wednesday. The victim was not affiliated with the air force base.