Two Mountain Brook teens injured in Walton County shark attacks identified

Officials in Florida's Walton County are patrolling the coastline and urging beachgoers to use caution when in the water following two shark attacks Friday that injured three females, including two teenage girls from Mountain Brook.

Officials released an update following the attack this morning. A woman and one of the teenagers were seriously injured. One of the teenagers was slightly injured.

Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston told AL.com that the two injured teens were from Mountain Brook.

The teens were identified as Lulu Gribbin and McCray Faust by St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

“On Sunday, June 9 at 4 p.m., we will gather in the Pavilion to pray for Lulu and McCray, their families and their recovery. Everyone is welcome,” the church posted on Instagram.

South Walton Fire District rescuers erected red and purple flags this morning as a visible warning to be careful.

“It is important to us that beach patrons recognize and understand the risk posed by open water, as it relates not only to the dangers of surfing, but also to marine life,” officials wrote on the district's X account This morning.

“Will have a boat in the Gulf and monitor the coastline throughout the day. We ask beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings and to remember that we are guests in the Gulf. Stay vigilant.

The first attack happened around 1.20pm on Friday when a 45-year-old woman was bitten by a shark while swimming near Water Sound beach.

She suffered serious injuries to her hip and lower left arm and was airlifted to an area trauma hospital.

The second incident took place near Seacrest Beach less than two hours later and four miles east of the first incident. Authorities said they were two female patients, approximately 15 years old. According to witnesses, the females were in waist-deep water with a group of friends when the incident occurred.

Saturday morning, Walton County deputies reported spotting a 14-foot hammerhead shark from a boat east of South County Road 395 in Santa Rosa Beach. They stressed that this sighting was not rare.

“We want to reiterate that sharks are still present in the Gulf,” the Walton County Sheriff's Department said in an article on X. “Swimmers and beachgoers should use caution when swimming and remain aware of their environment.”