Alligator kills 71-year-old man fishing at pond in Florida

A 71-year-old man, Steve Hamilton, was killed by an alligator at a pond in Florida after being dragged into the water, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The attack occurred at about 5 p.m. on Friday at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, where several small ponds connect to Lake Apopka and the area is known for alligators, including a crossing called Gator Bridge. Winter Garden Police Capt. Michael Mason said Hamilton was on shore when he was pulled in. FWC reported an alligator measuring 11 feet, 8 inches was trapped and removed. Hamilton was the second fatal alligator victim in Florida in 2025.