Charles Vansant was playing with a dog in the surf off Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven when people on the beach saw a shark 's fin heading toward him .
Charles Vansant is a well - off 25 - year - old Philadelphian .
Charles Vansant , a well - off 25 - year - old Philadelphian , was playing with a dog in the surf off Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven when people on the beach saw a shark 's fin heading toward him .