A 71-year-old man died Friday after an alligator attacked him while he was fishing on the shore of Lake Apopka in Winter Garden, Florida, according to the Associated Press. The Lake Apopka alligator attack happened at roughly 5 p.m. at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, about 15 miles northwest of Orlando, officials said.
The victim was identified as Steven Hamilton, also referred to as Steve Hamilton, of Winter Garden, according to the AP. His body was recovered from the water approximately two hours after the attack.
What Happened At Dr. Bradford Memorial Park
Dr. Bradford Memorial Park contains several small ponds connected to the larger Lake Apopka and is known locally for its alligator population, according to CBS News. The park even has a pedestrian crossing nicknamed Gator Bridge.
The AP reported the alligator that attacked Hamilton measured nearly 12 feet long, while CBS News put the animal’s length at 11 feet 8 inches. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trappers later captured and removed the alligator from the scene, according to CBS News, and the AP reported the animal was killed.
Police Capt. Michael Mason said authorities had received no advance warning that an alligator was near the shoreline before the attack, according to the AP. Mason said that may be because the lake holds a large alligator population. Police opened a joint investigation into the attack alongside the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the AP reported.
Official Safety Guidance On Alligators
Mason urged people who spend time near Florida waterways to stay alert, according to the AP. “Always be aware of your surroundings. Always be safe.
Wildlife: Respect it. Keep your distance. It looks like it’s docile, it looks like your Florida emblem, but it can be dangerous,” Mason said.
The attack marked the second fatal alligator attack in Florida in 2026, according to the AP and CBS News. A 31-year-old Oviedo woman, Brittany Clark, was killed by an alligator in June, the AP reported. The two outlets differ slightly on the historical count of fatal alligator attacks in Florida since 1948: CBS News reported 32 fatal attacks as of its count, while the AP put the total at 34 when including both of this year’s deaths.
What’s Next
The joint investigation between Winter Garden police and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission remains active, according to the AP. No further details on the park’s response or any new postings at the site have been released by officials.
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