The man who was reported missing after been 'attacked' by a shark has been identified as a tech CEO and aspiring Olympian.
Felix Louis N’Jai, 52, had been swimming near to Wildcat Beach, which is located at the southern part of Point Reyes National Park in California on 1 October when he was reportedly attacked by a shark.
N'Jai has not yet been officially identified by police, but has been named by friends and sailing magazine Latitude 38 as the missing person.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, he had moved to the US from Gambia to study computer engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
Advert
He is the CEO of Eniac Labs, his LinkedIn profile states.
The tech entrepreneur had also been making plans to represent his native country in the Olympics as a kite surfer.
His friends told NBC that they had gone to mourn and pay tribute to him together after he went missing on Sunday (1 October).
Advert
His friend, Jim Keenan, told the outlet: “We all got in a circle and we listen to the story. And there wasn’t a dry eye in the group."
While another friend, Steve Bodner, said: "He’d be out on the water half a mile away and you’d hear, ‘Hey Stevie B,’ and then he’d pass you real close and give you a big smile."
And David Thawley described N'Jai as 'everything to every one of his friends'.
Adding: "We felt like he was part of our family, and I know so many others felt this way too. He brought pure joy, love, and light everywhere he went. He radiated like the sun.
Advert
“I developed a level of love for Felix that I’ve never experienced in anything other than a family.
“He’s been a very constant, positive and overwhelmingly influential part of my life since those days we first met."
Keenan also told NBC about the alleged horrific attack.
Advert
He said: “A shark came up, grabbed Felix by the neck supposedly, brought them down and that was the last they saw.
"Two other guys rushed out of the water, turned around and they saw blood and some commotion in the water.
"But no Felix and that was it."
Bodner then went on to talk about how N'Jai had been dedicated to swimming and kite-surfing, going out often.
Advert
He said: “Felix was probably out on the water more than anyone I know.
“He was kind of an inspiration for me to continue, to press on.
"Oftentimes, I wanted to give up and I saw Felix and continued to do it and he was a real mentor.”
According to KTUV, a search for the missing swimmer is still ongoing, but efforts by The National Park Service were scaled back yesterday (5 October).
Advert
UNILAD has contacted The National Park Service and the US Coast Guard for comment.
Kit Roberts