Credit: Shutterstock
A 71-year-old man was killed by an alligator Friday while fishing in Winter Garden, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says.
The man, identified as Steve Hamilton, was fishing at the Dr. Bradford Memorial Park near Lake Apopka. Winter Garden police and fire departments responded to reports of a man being attacked around 5 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The alligator, which was 12 feet long, was killed by trappers with the FWC.
“Lake Apopka has tons of alligators in it, so that’s not uncommon to see alligators in this part of town at all,” Winter Garden Police Capt. Michael Mason told reporters Friday night.
Officials ask anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Detective Kevin Burger at 407-656-3636, extension 6320.
Winter Garden police are investigating the attack with FWC.
Hamilton is the second person to be killed by an alligator in Florida this year. In June, 31-year-old Brittany Clark died after being bitten by an alligator while she was swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in Seminole County.
The FWC said Clark was swimming with friends in the river near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest when the incident occurred. She was brought to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
It was the third recorded alligator bite in Central Florida that week.
A child was bitten on the hand by an 8-foot-7-inch alligator while fishing at Nelson’s Outdoor Resort on June 27, and a person was bitten while snorkeling in Marion County’s Rainbow River on June 21.
Alligator mating season is in full swing from May to June, with hatching season occurring in August and September, according to the FWC.
The FWC says people concerned about an alligator can call their Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). A gator is generally considered a nuisance if it is at least 4 feet in length; if it is believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property; or if it is found somewhere it should not be, such as a swimming pool, home, garage, etc.
The University of Florida released a study in April 2025 finding that the No. 1 cause of alligator bite incidents in Florida is “risky human behavior.” Researchers recommend avoiding entering bodies of water or areas where alligators are known to live.
Related Stories
The incident is the third recorded alligator bite in Central Florida in the past week
Pine Meadows Conservation Area is closed until further notice
The FWC launched an investigation, and then he was arrested in a different case
Related