Fisherman, 71, killed by 12-foot alligator while he stood on shoreline

Steven Hamilton, 71, of Winter Garden, Florida, was killed Friday afternoon after being mauled by an alligator estimated at 12 feet while he fished from the shoreline of Lake Apopka. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officials identified Hamilton, and emergency responders were called around 5 p.m., about 15 miles northwest of Orlando. Other alligators were active in the water, delaying recovery; Hamilton’s body was recovered at 7 p.m., Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza said. The reported 11.8-foot alligator was captured and killed by FWC trappers, after witnesses heard a “loud bang” described by a police captain as the sound of the animal being removed as a public danger.