Pirates of the Caribbean star Tamayo Perry killed by shark in Hawaii

Lifeguard and actor Tamayo Perry died in a shark attack at the age of 49.

On Sunday, June 23, Perry – who worked as a lifeguard for the City and County of Honolulu’s marine safety department – was fatally injured in an incident that occurred while he was surfing off the Hawaiian island of Oahu, according to the Associated Press.

Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department confirmed in a press conference that authorities had responded to calls that a surfer had been attacked near Mālaekahana Beach on the north shore of Oahu shortly before 1 p.m. local time.

“As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for all of us. I ask for your kindness and patience as we all try to get through this next hour and these next weeks and months,” Enright said, confirming that Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to the attack with a jet ski before the victim was brought to shore.

Honolulu EMS personnel then “assisted in determining his death,” Enright said at the conference.

Perry has starred in successful films, including 2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He also had a role in 2002s Blue Swarmamong other projects.

Enright did not immediately respond when PEOPLE asked him for comment.

During the conference, Kurt Lager, acting director of Honolulu Ocean Safety, said Perry was “a lifeguard loved by all.”

“He’s very well known on the North Shore. He’s a world-renowned professional surfer,” Lager added.

“Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else even more,” Lager continued, before asking for the family’s privacy.

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“It’s just a tragic loss,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, adding, “Tamayo was a legendary and highly respected fisherman.”

According to AP, Enright confirmed that Perry began his career with the Marine Safety Division in July 2016. Enright added that Marine Safety personnel issued shark warnings in the area following the incident, the source said.