A 71-year-old man was killed by an alligator while fishing along the shoreline of a pond at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, Florida, on Friday, October 16, 2026, authorities said.
The victim, identified as Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden, was pulled into the water during the attack, which occurred around 5 p.m. near Lake Apopka. According to CBS News, wildlife officials reported that an alligator measuring nearly 12 feet was involved.
Emergency responders faced difficulties recovering Hamilton because other alligators were active in the water. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Winter Garden Police Department are investigating the incident.
How the Alligator Attack Unfolded
Hamilton was fishing from the shoreline of a retention pond connected to the Lake Apopka area when the alligator attacked, according to Winter Garden Police Capt. Michael Mason.
Firefighters responded to an emergency call shortly after 5 p.m. However, the presence of additional alligators prevented rescue swimmers from safely entering the water, Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza told WESH 2 News.
Emergency crews eventually recovered Hamilton's body approximately two hours after the attack, according to the Associated Press.
A contracted wildlife trapper subsequently captured and killed an alligator measuring 11 feet, 8 inches. The animal was removed from the area following the fatal encounter.
What Investigators Have Confirmed
The FWC and Winter Garden police are conducting a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hamilton's death.
Authorities have confirmed that Hamilton was fishing from shore when the attack occurred and that a large alligator was removed afterward. Although the captured animal has been linked to the incident in news reports, the available official statements do not establish that a final forensic identification has been completed.
Investigators have not publicly established what triggered the encounter or whether any additional circumstances contributed to the attack.
Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Detective Kevin Burger at 407-656-3636, extension 6320, according to the West Orange Times & Observer.
How Common Are Fatal Alligator Attacks in Florida?
Fatal alligator attacks remain uncommon in Florida, despite the widespread presence of American alligators in the state's freshwater habitats.
According to FWC alligator-bite statistics, Florida recorded 500 unprovoked alligator bites between 1948 and 2025, including 32 fatalities. The agency recorded 13 unprovoked bites in 2025, eight classified as major incidents, including two deaths.
The official historical records also show 23 reported bites in 2023 and 11 in 2022. These figures refer to recorded unprovoked bites, not every encounter between people and alligators.
Hamilton's death is the second reported fatal alligator attack in Florida during 2026. In June, 31-year-old Brittany Clark died following an alligator attack while swimming in Little Big Econ State Forest near Orlando.
Including the two reported 2026 fatalities would bring the historical number to 34, although the FWC's published statistical table cited here covers incidents only through 2025.
While individual incidents can be devastating, annual bite totals alone do not establish whether an individual's risk is increasing. Such comparisons require consistent reporting definitions and consideration of human exposure to alligator habitats.
Florida Wildlife Officials' Alligator Safety Advice
The FWC urges residents and visitors to exercise caution around freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and wetlands where alligators may be present. Its official alligator safety guidance emphasizes maintaining a safe distance from the animals and remaining aware of nearby wildlife.
People should never feed alligators, because feeding can cause them to associate humans with food. The agency also advises swimming only in designated areas during daylight hours and keeping pets away from the water's edge.
For anglers and other shoreline visitors, the Winter Garden incident underscores the importance of remaining alert even when staying on land. An alligator may be present near the shoreline without being immediately visible.
Florida operates a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program to address animals considered potential threats to people, pets or property. Anyone concerned about a potentially dangerous alligator can contact the FWC's Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
These precautions are general public-safety recommendations and do not establish whether Hamilton could have prevented the attack. Authorities' investigation will determine what additional conclusions, if any, can be drawn from the circumstances of his death.
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