Steven Hamilton, 71, was attacked while fishing near Lake Apopka, and authorities later removed an 11-foot-8-inch alligator.
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — A 71-year-old fisherman died after a nearly 12-foot alligator grabbed him near the shoreline of a pond at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park and pulled him into the water, according to Florida wildlife officials and local authorities.
Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden was fishing at the park on Oct. 16 when the attack occurred. Police and firefighters responded at about 5 p.m. after a 911 call reporting an alligator attack. Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene, and crews later recovered his body from the water. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said a contracted nuisance alligator trapper removed an 11-foot-8-inch alligator from the area.
New information released by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office showed that Hamilton died from blunt force injury to his left leg and drowning. His death was ruled an accident. According to the medical examiner’s report, Hamilton had caught a fish and was attempting to take a photograph of himself with it when the alligator attacked and pulled him into the water.
The recovery operation was complicated by the presence of other alligators in the pond, according to officials and local reports. Emergency personnel remained at the scene while wildlife officers and trappers worked to secure the area. Authorities have not released additional details about how close Hamilton was to the water before the attack or whether he saw the animal approaching.
The alligator believed to have been involved in the attack was removed and euthanized after the incident. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Winter Garden Police Department continued investigating the circumstances surrounding Hamilton’s death.
Witnesses told local news organizations that Hamilton was a regular visitor to the park and frequently fished there. One witness said he had caught a bass shortly before the attack. The medical examiner’s findings later supported the account that Hamilton was holding a fish when the alligator approached.
Dr. Bradford Memorial Park is near Lake Apopka, a large Central Florida lake where alligators are commonly present. Florida wildlife officials say American alligators are found throughout the state. Although encounters between people and alligators occur, the agency says serious injuries remain rare.
Hamilton’s death was the second fatal alligator attack reported in Florida in 2026. In June, 31-year-old Brittany Clark died after an alligator attacked her while she was swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in Seminole County. Authorities later connected a large alligator removed from that area to the attack through DNA testing.
Florida has recorded 34 fatal alligator attacks since 1948, according to figures cited by The Associated Press. State wildlife officials operate a nuisance alligator program that uses contracted trappers to remove animals believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.
The investigation into Hamilton’s death remains open. Wildlife officials have not announced any additional findings beyond the medical examiner’s determination and the removal of the alligator believed to have been involved in the attack.
Author note: Last updated October 19, 2026.