Largo, FL – A shocking scene unfolded in a park near Tampa, Florida, as a 14-foot alligator was spotted carrying human remains in its jaws. The incident, which took place on Friday, prompted a swift response from local law enforcement and wildlife officers.
JaMarcus Bullard, a local resident first noticed the alligator in a neighborhood lake. He was initially excited to see the creature, but his excitement quickly turned to horror when he realized it was carrying a human body. Bullard immediately alerted the nearest fire department, leading to a rapid response from local authorities.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officers managed to wrestle the alligator out of the water by 2 p.m., allowing first responders to recover the body. The alligator was subsequently euthanized, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. However, it remains unclear whether the individual died as a result of an alligator attack or if the creature found the body post-mortem.
The identity of the victim has not been disclosed, but authorities confirmed it was an adult. An autopsy is expected to provide more details about the cause of death.
The incident sparked a significant response from the community, with dozens of police officers and firefighters cordoning off the area for investigation. Bullard expressed his concern about the proximity of the incident to a local school and a Boys and Girls Club, worrying about the children who frequent the area.
This incident comes just months after a similar event in which an alligator was found with a toddler’s body in its mouth in St. Petersburg, Florida, just 20 miles away. The investigation into the recent incident is ongoing, with officials working to determine the alligator’s involvement in the individual’s death.