Winter Garden firefighters and police responded around 5 p.m. Friday to a 911 call reporting a man in the water at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, a retention pond near Lake Apopka. The man, identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as 71‑year‑old Steven Hamilton, was attacked by a nearly 12‑foot alligator and later pronounced dead.
Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department Chief Jose Gainza and Police Captain Michael Mason told WESH that rescue swimmers could not enter the water because alligators were actively moving in the area. Crews instead used alternative methods to retrieve Hamilton’s body, while a contracted nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched to the scene.
FWC officials confirmed that an 11‑foot‑8‑inch alligator was removed from the water after the attack. The agency’s statement said the alligator was captured by a trapper and that “FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time.” The agency also reiterated its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), which addresses alligators that pose a threat to people, pets, or property.
Hamilton was a well‑known regular at the park. According to park visitors Connor Kelley and Jason Handley, Hamilton fished there “almost every single night” and was regarded as “kind and generous.” Handley said his stomach “dropped” when he learned the victim was Hamilton, a reminder of the close‑knit community that gathers at the pond.
Emily Porto, a resident living along Lake Apopka, recounted that she had called FWC after her 8‑year‑old Samoyed, Stormi, was killed by an alligator in the lake last month. Porto said she has seen more alligators near her property since that incident and is urging FWC to increase removal efforts, stating, “They are hunting. They are becoming very aggressive. They are fearless, and we have to care about people.”
Winter Garden police are asking anyone who witnessed the attack to contact Detective Kevin Burger at 407‑656‑3636 ext. 6320. FWC advises residents with alligator concerns to call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866‑FWC‑GATOR (866‑392‑4286) for prompt assistance.
What’s next: The incident underscores the importance of vigilance around Florida’s waterways. Residents are encouraged to stay alert, avoid fishing from the water’s edge when alligators are present, and report any sightings of nuisance alligators to FWC so that the agency can continue its removal program and help keep the community safe.
