71-Year-Old Fisherman Killed by 12-Foot Alligator at Florida Lake
A 71-year-old fisherman died on Friday after an alligator attacked him on the shore of a Florida lake, marking the second fatal attack of its kind in the state this year. Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden was standing on the shoreline of Lake Apopka at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, located 15 miles northwest of Orlando, when the nearly 12-foot reptile struck around 5 p.m., the Winter Garden Police Department reported.
Other Alligators Hindered Rescue of Hamilton
Other active alligators in the water complicated any chance of rescuing Hamilton, Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza told FOX35, as reported by abcnews.com. Authorities recovered Hamilton’s body approximately two hours after the attack.
Police Capt. Michael Mason noted that authorities received no advance warning that an alligator was near the shoreline, potentially because the lake has tons of alligators in it. Following the incident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission launched a joint investigation with local police, sending trappers to capture and kill the animal.
Historical Context of Florida Alligator Fatalities
Friday’s incident brings the total number of individuals killed by alligators in Florida since 1948 to 34, based on state data. Previous fatal encounters include an 85-year-old widow dragged out of her backyard while walking her dog in 2023, and a 61-year-old woman tipped out of her canoe in 2025.
The state’s only other fatal alligator attack this year occurred in June, when a 31-year-old Oviedo woman named Brittany Clark was killed by a 13-foot alligator near her home. Rep. Greg Steube to introduce a resolution calling for the Comptroller General and the U.S. Department of the Interior to study the impacts of the American alligator’s federal listing.
Federal Regulations Limit Removal of Nuisance Alligators
Under current federal regulations, the American alligator remains listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance to protect the American crocodile from illegal trafficking and hunting. Representative Steube argued in his resolution that the alligator species has been fully recovered since 1987, though the listing continues to affect Florida’s ability to remove nuisance alligators from residential and commercial waterways.
Authorities reiterated warnings for the public following the recovery of Hamilton’s body. Always be aware of your surroundings. Always be safe,
Captain Mason said, as reported by abcnews.com and ktar.com. Wildlife: Respect it. Keep your distance. It looks like it’s docile, it looks like your Florida emblem, but it can be dangerous.
Fisherman, 71, killed by 12-foot alligator in Florida waters infested with dangerous animals https://t.co/xbBVivmv0e pic.twitter.com/trFQ6QrM2w
More on Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden
71-Year-Old Man Killed by Nearly 12-Foot Alligator While Fishing at Florida Park https://t.co/gbFtrZ0hIW
A 71-year-old man was killed by an 11-foot, 8-inch alligator while fishing at a Florida park, marking the state's second fatal attack this year. https://t.co/obQw1BuHZZ