Surfer killed by a shark off Vandenberg Air Force Base

A surfer was killed by a shark Tuesday morning off Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, Calif. The incident occurred at about 11 a.m. off Surf Beach, the same remote location of a fatal shark attack in 2010.

Th victim of Tuesday's attack was Francisco Javier Solorio Jr., 39, of Orcutt. He was not affiliated with the Air Force base.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office posted a statement on its website stating that a friend of the victim witnessed the attack, swam over and pulled the victim to the beach, and attempted to administer first aid before dialing 911.

The Vandenberg Air Force Base Fire Department arrived. The victim, however, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The species of shark has not been identified but great white sharks are believed to have been responsible for most fatal shark attacks off the West Coast.

In October of 2010, a 19-year-old bodyboarder was killed by what was presumed to have been a white shark at Surf Beach. (Surf Beach is open to non-military personnel.)

There have been several white shark sightings in recent months to the south, off Santa Barbara, and to the north off Central California.

Counting Tuesday's incident, there have been 13th fatal shark attack off California since 1952, according to the state Department of Fish and Game.