Steven Hamilton was fishing along the shore of Lake Apopka in Winter Garden near Orlando<\/a>, when he was attacked around 5 p.m., the Winter Garden Police Department said.<\/p>\n Emergency crews attempted to rescue Hamilton, but weren\u2019t able to because other alligators were also in the water, Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza told FOX 35<\/a>.<\/p>\n FLORIDA WILDLIFE OFFICIALS CONFIRM 13-FOOT GATOR KILLED ORLANDO WOMAN WITH ‘DEATH ROLL’ ON RIVER<\/a><\/p>\n A 71-year-old man was killed Friday by a nearly 12-foot alligator in the second fatal attack in Florida this year, police said. (Getty Images, File)<\/p>\n His body was recovered by 7 p.m.<\/p>\n “The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time,” the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission said.<\/p>\n SON OF FLORIDA ALLIGATOR ATTACK VICTIM SAYS TOURISTS AND TIKTOKERS ARE EMBOLDENING THE GATORS<\/a><\/p>\n The alligator<\/a> was trapped and killed, Winter Garden Police Chief Michael Mason said.<\/p>\n Mason said the lake “has tons of alligators in it” and authorities weren\u2019t aware before the attack that one was near the shore.<\/p>\n MASSIVE ALLIGATOR ATTACKS YOUNG SWIMMER IN NATURE PRESERVE DESPITE POSTED WARNING<\/a><\/p>\n An alligator swims in Everglades National Park. (Anadolu via Getty Images, File)<\/p>\n “Always be aware of your surroundings. Always be safe,” he said. “Wildlife: Respect it. Keep your distance. It looks like it’s docile, it looks like your Florida emblem, but it can be dangerous.”<\/p>\n American alligators can be found all over Florida, although attacks are rare.<\/p>\n In June, a 31-year-old woman named Brittany Clark<\/a> was killed by an alligator near her home in Oviedo.<\/p>\n![\"Alligator](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/alligator-everglades-national-park.jpg\")
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