Family and friends of a 19-year-old Romoland man killed in a shark attack while surfing in the waters around Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County are expected to gather for a funeral Mass in Perris today.
Lucas McKaine Ransom died Friday after suffering catastrophic injuries inflicted by a large shark, possibly a great white.
The former Perris High School competitive swimmer, who was majoring in chemical engineering at UC Santa Barbara, was with friends at Surf Beach, body-boarding near shore, when he was attacked.
A viewing, rosary and Mass for Ransom will be held at 5 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 269 W. 3rd St.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, a memorial service is scheduled at Evans Brown Mortuary in Perris, near the young man’s family’s home.
Friends and family also plan to gather at 4:30 p.m. that day at the main pier in Oceanside for a tribute, during which mourners will paddle out in surfboards and other craft to spread flowers in Ransom’s honor.
The young man’s close friend, Matthew Garcia, said the attack Friday lasted a few seconds, and that Ransom had no warning that he was in danger.
The victim’s left leg was severed, causing massive blood loss. He died on the beach.
Ransom was a star swimmer for the Perris High School Panthers swim team, qualifying in the California Interscholastic Federation swim finals in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke during his senior year.
In 2007, he was recognized by the city of Murrieta for saving a drowning boy at a pool.
Donations are being sought for the family to help with the cost of the funeral, which is expected to cost the family about $8,000. Donations can be sent to: St. James Church, 269 W. Third Street, Perris, Ca., 92570 or Evans-Brown Mortuaries, 27010 Encanto Drive, Sun City, Ca., 91585.
For more information call, 951-657-2380 or 951-679-1114.
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wow that is just sad.