A 71-year-old fisherman was killed when a nearly 12-foot alligator dragged him into the water near Lake Apopka, officials said.
Story Snapshot
- Police say the attack happened around 5 p.m. as the man fished from shore.
- Wildlife officers trapped and removed an 11-foot-8-inch alligator near the scene.
- Fire crews delayed entry because other active alligators made the water unsafe.
- The medical examiner reported blunt-force leg injuries and drowning as the cause of death.
Officials Describe Deadly Shoreline Attack And Response
Winter Garden police reported that the fisherman, identified by wildlife officials as Steven Hamilton, was attacked around 5 p.m. while fishing from the shoreline at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, near Lake Apopka. Police spokesman Capt. Michael Mason placed Hamilton on the bank at the time of the attack. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed the victim’s identity in a statement and joined police in the investigation, which began immediately after the 911 calls came in.
Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza said rescue crews waited to enter the water because other active alligators were present and the scene was not safe. Crews recovered Hamilton’s body about two hours after the attack. That timing matched their risk assessment and standard rescue protocols when dangerous wildlife remains in the area. Officials emphasized that first responders could not safely perform a rapid recovery until trappers and spotters reduced the threat in the water nearby.
Wildlife Officers Remove Large Alligator From The Area
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that a captured alligator measured 11 feet, 8 inches. Trappers removed the animal near the scene as a danger to the public. Some outlets described the reptile as “nearly 12 feet long,” reflecting the measurement reported by state officers. Authorities said the animal was dispatched after capture. Reports did not present public forensic proof tying that exact alligator to the fatal attack, but it was removed due to the risk.
The Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner’s Office later detailed how Hamilton died. The office found blunt-force injuries to his left leg and drowning, and it ruled the death accidental. That account matched what police and wildlife officers described at the park: an alligator grabbed him and pulled him underwater. Those clinical findings provide an independent medical record of what happened at the shoreline that evening near Lake Apopka.
Safety Lessons For Anglers And Walkers Near Florida Waters
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tracks human and alligator encounters. From 1948 through 2025, state data cited in reporting show 32 fatal alligator attacks in Florida, out of hundreds of recorded incidents. The agency urges people to stay alert near any water, keep distance from wildlife, and call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline if an animal threatens people, pets, or property. Simple steps like avoiding the water’s edge at dusk can reduce risk.
A fishing trip turned fatal for a Florida man, 71, who was killed by a nearly 12-foot alligator along the shore of Lake Apopka in Winter Garden.
Emergency crews attempted to rescue the victim, but couldn't reach him because other alligators were also in the water, according to… pic.twitter.com/AMSAjhxqaR
— Fox News US (@FoxUSNews) October 18, 2026
Local leaders reminded residents that parks and ponds in developed areas can still host large predators. Officials asked anglers and walkers to scan the waterline, keep dogs leashed and away from the shore, and never feed wildlife. Feeding teaches animals to lose fear of people and can lead to aggressive behavior. The message after this attack was direct: treat every body of water in Florida as potential alligator habitat, and make wise choices that put safety first.
Sources:
nytimes.com, wftv.com, wmur.com, abcnews.com, thenewsherald.com, myfwc.com
