Florida Man Fishing Killed by Alligator; Attack Sparks Political Debate
A fatal alligator attack on a Florida man prompts a U.S. Representative to re-examine endangered species protections for the reptiles.
A 71-year-old man fishing on the shore of a Florida pond was attacked and killed by a nearly 12-foot alligator on Friday, marking the second fatal alligator attack in the state this year. Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden was at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, located 15 miles northwest of Orlando, when the alligator attacked around 5 p.m., according to the Winter Garden Police Department.
The presence of other alligators in the water complicated rescue efforts, and Hamilton's body was recovered approximately two hours later, Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza told FOX35.
This incident follows the June death of Brittany Clark, a 31-year-old Oviedo woman killed by a 13-foot alligator near her home. Following Clark's death, U.S. Representative Greg Steube introduced a resolution calling for a study by the Comptroller General and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Steube's resolution aims to assess the impact of the American alligator's “threatened due to similarity of appearance” listing on Florida's ability to manage nuisance alligators in waterways. He stated that the alligator population has been fully recovered since 1987 but remains protected to prevent trafficking and the hunting of the similar-looking American crocodile.
According to Florida state data, Hamilton's death brings the total number of individuals killed by alligators since 1948 to 34. Previous fatal incidents include a 61-year-old woman who was tipped out of her canoe by an alligator in 2025 and an 85-year-old widow who was dragged from her backyard while walking her dog in 2023.
Police Capt. Michael Mason stated that authorities were not previously aware of an alligator near the shoreline, possibly due to the lake's high population of the reptiles. The Winter Garden Police Department and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission are conducting a joint investigation. Alligator trappers have captured and killed the animal involved in Friday's attack.
"Always be aware of your surroundings. Always be safe,” Mason advised. “Wildlife: Respect it. Keep your distance. It looks like it's docile, it looks like your Florida emblem, but it can be dangerous.”