Steven Hamilton, 71, was fishing at a Winter Garden park when the animal pulled him into the water, authorities said.
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 receiving a 911 call about 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 provided additional details about Hamilton’s death. The office determined that he died from blunt force injury to his left leg and drowning. His death was ruled an accident. According to the medical examiner’s findings, Hamilton had caught a fish and was attempting to take a photograph of himself with it when the alligator attacked and dragged him into the water.
The recovery effort was complicated by the presence of other alligators in the pond. Winter Garden officials said emergency crews could not immediately enter the water because of the danger posed by active animals nearby. Hamilton’s body was recovered later that evening after authorities worked to secure the area. Officials have not released additional details about how close Hamilton was standing to the water or whether he saw the alligator before it struck.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the alligator removed from the area measured 11 feet, 8 inches. Local officials said the animal believed to have been involved in the attack was killed after it was captured. State wildlife officers and the Winter Garden Police Department continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter.
Witnesses told local news organizations that Hamilton was a frequent visitor to the park and often fished there. One account said he had caught a bass shortly before the attack. The medical examiner’s report later supported the broader account that Hamilton was holding a fish and trying to take a photograph when the alligator approached.
Dr. Bradford Memorial Park sits near Lake Apopka in Central Florida, northwest of Orlando. Alligators are common in the area, and police said seeing the animals around the lake is not unusual. The park includes ponds connected to the larger Lake Apopka system. Authorities have not said whether there had been any recent reports involving the same alligator before Hamilton’s death.
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. Florida has recorded 34 fatal alligator attacks since 1948, according to figures cited by The Associated Press.
Florida wildlife officials operate a statewide nuisance alligator program that uses contracted trappers to remove animals believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property. Authorities have said serious injuries caused by alligators remain relatively rare despite the animals being widespread across the state.
The investigation into Hamilton’s death remains open. Wildlife officials have not announced additional findings beyond the medical examiner’s determination, the recovery of Hamilton’s body and the removal of the alligator believed to have been involved in the attack.
Author note: Last updated October 19, 2026.