71-Year-Old Fisherman Killed by 12-Foot Alligator on Lake Apopka Shore
Steven Hamilton, 71, died after a 12-foot alligator attacked him while he was fishing on the shore of Lake Apopka near Orlando.
A 71-year-old man identified as Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden was fatally attacked by an 11.8-foot alligator while fishing on the shoreline of Lake Apopka, about 15 miles northwest of Orlando. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission reported the incident occurred Friday afternoon, with emergency responders reaching the scene at roughly 5 p.m. The alligator's presence, along with additional active reptiles in the water, hindered immediate rescue.
Hamilton's body was retrieved at 7 p.m., according to Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza. State wildlife trappers later captured and euthanized the predator, and a loud bang heard by witnesses was identified as the animal being removed as a public danger. Lake Apopka hosts one of Central Florida's largest alligator populations.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks of human-wildlife encounters in Florida’s heavily populated alligator habitats.
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