Fisherman, 71, attacked and killed by 12-foot alligator alongside Florida lake: news
17-10-2026
Fatal Alligator Attack: 71-Year-Old Fisherman Killed Near Florida Lake
A 71-year-old fisherman died after being attacked and pulled into the water by a nearly 12-foot alligator along the edge of a Florida pond connected to Lake Apopka.
Incident Details and Location
The attack occurred around 5:00 p.m. at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, Florida. The victim, identified by wildlife officials as 71-year-old Steve Hamilton, was fishing from the shoreline when an alligator lunged from the water and dragged him from the bank.
Emergency crews from the Winter Garden Police Department and Winter Garden Fire Rescue responded to the scene, recovering Hamilton’s body from the water shortly before 7:00 p.m.
Removal of the Alligator
Contracted nuisance alligator trappers alongside officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded immediately to search the area. Trappers located, captured, and euthanized an 11-foot, 8-inch alligator involved in the attack.
Dr. Bradford Memorial Park features waterways and small ponds directly linked to Lake Apopka, a major Central Florida lake known for dense alligator populations.
Florida Alligator Attack Statistics and Wildlife Safety
Fatal alligator attacks remain statistically rare in Florida despite the state’s estimated population of 1.3 million alligators. According to FWC historical records, roughly 500 unprovoked alligator bites have occurred in Florida since 1948, with fewer than three dozen resulting in fatalities. This incident represents the second confirmed fatal alligator encounter in Florida in 2026.
Wildlife authorities remind anglers, residents, and visitors to follow standard freshwater safety precautions:
Maintain shoreline distance: Stand several feet back from murky water or heavily vegetated banks.
Observe active hours: Alligators feed most aggressively during dusk, nighttime, and early morning hours.
Never feed wild alligators: Feeding alligators is illegal under Florida law, as it conditions reptiles to associate humans with food.
Keep pets away from water: Domestic animals closely resemble typical prey and should never be allowed to swim or drink near alligator habitats.