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Florida Deputies Fatally Shoot Man Who Survived Alligator Bite

Authorities say the 42-year-old, believed to be under the influence of methamphetamine, charged deputies after surviving an alligator bite, was shot while attempting to grab a patrol rifle.

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An alligator is seen in the water on Earth Day at Everglades National Park, Florida, April 22, 2024.
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Overview

  • Schulz was first reported acting erratically at a Lakeland convenience store around 6 a.m., prompting deputies to search the area for roughly 40 minutes without locating him.
  • Witnesses saw him swimming across an alligator-infested lake, where he suffered a bite to his right arm before emerging from the water.
  • After exiting the lake, he armed himself with garden shears and hurled a brick at a nearby vehicle in an apparent attempt to break in.
  • Deputies deployed Tasers twice without effect; Schulz then climbed into their patrol vehicle and tried to seize a rifle, leading officers to fire.
  • Schulz had been released from jail on methamphetamine charges six days earlier; the two deputies involved are on administrative leave and multiple agencies are investigating the shooting.