Alligator Kills Man, 71, Fishing on Shore of Lake

A 71-year-old man fishing on the shore of a Florida lake was attacked and killed on Friday by a nearly 12-foot alligator, the second such death reported this year, the AP reports. Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden was standing on the shoreline of Lake Apopka at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, 15 miles northwest of Orlando, when the reptile struck around 5pm, the Winter Garden Police Department said. The presence of other active alligators in the water complicated any chance of rescuing Hamilton, whose body was recovered around two hours later, Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza told FOX35.

Police Capt. Michael Mason said authorities were not alerted in advance Friday that an alligator was near the shoreline of the lake, possibly because the lake "has tons of alligators in it." He said police have launched a joint investigation with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, whose trappers captured and killed the animal. "Always be aware of your surroundings," he said, adding, "It looks like it's docile, it looks like your Florida emblem, but it can be dangerous." Brittany Clark, 31, of Oviedo, was killed by a 13-foot alligator near her home in June.