An 8-year-old boy who was bitten by a shark while snorkeling in the Florida Keys on Monday afternoon is recovering after surgery to save his leg, according to Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay.
The incident occurred at Horseshoe Reef, about four miles from shore off Key Largo, around 3:35 p.m. The boy sustained the bite above the knee and was airlifted by Monroe County Fire Rescue paramedics to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he remained hospitalized on Tuesday.
Florida is known for having the highest number of shark bites in the world, but most incidents involve minor bites on the feet of surfers and swimmers along the coasts of Volusia County and Brevard County. In the past five years, there have been several reported shark attacks involving snorkelers and a spearfisherman.
CONFIRMED SHARK ATTACKS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS SINCE 2020:
| Year | Victim / Age | Location | Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (Aug) | 10‑year‑old boy (Jameson Reeder Jr.) | Florida Keys | Bull shark attack while snorkeling; below‑knee amputation | Survived; recovered |
| 2024 (Jul) | 37‑year‑old man | Reef off Key West | Bull shark bites during spearfishing; leg nearly severed | Survived; undergoing rehab |
| 2025 (Sep) | 8‑year‑old boy | Horseshoe Reef, Key Largo | Snorkeling attack; severe leg injury, surgery | In severe condition; hospitalized |
