A 71-year-old man was killed by a nearly 12-foot alligator while fishing at a pond in Winter Garden, Florida, on a Friday. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the state agency responsible for managing Florida's fish and wildlife resources, identified the victim as Steve Hamilton.
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, an area near Lake Apopka known for its alligator population. Winter Garden Police Capt. Michael Mason reported that Hamilton was on the shore when the alligator pulled him into the water. Following the attack, FWC officials trapped and removed an 11-foot, 8-inch alligator from the scene.
This event marks the second fatal alligator attack in Florida this year. In June, 31-year-old Brittany Clark was killed while swimming in Little Big Econ State Forest. According to FWC data, there have been 32 fatal alligator attacks in the state since record-keeping began in 1948, with annual fatalities never exceeding three. In 2025, the state recorded two fatal attacks involving Cynthia Diekema, 61, and Deborah Herndon, 73.
Individual residents and park visitors will notice a continued emphasis on safety protocols and awareness when near shorelines. Police and wildlife officials have advised the public to maintain distance from local wildlife and remain aware of their surroundings, noting that animals may appear docile despite their potential for danger. In this specific case, the immediate result was the lethal removal of the nearly 12-foot animal by state-contracted trappers, a standard procedure following attacks on humans to prevent further incidents in populated areas like Dr. Bradford Memorial Park.
The FWC continues to monitor alligator populations and track human-wildlife interactions to inform public safety policies. While no new legislative changes were announced following this event, the agency uses such data to update its annual reports on alligator bites. The removal of the animal concluded the immediate law enforcement response at the park. Future actions typically involve the finalization of the FWC's investigative report into the circumstances of the encounter, though a specific completion date for that report was not provided.