Overview

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the bear entered the home on Sept. 19 and was shot by the occupants, with no injuries reported inside.
• FWC officers documented damage to exterior doors consistent with a bear breaking in and removed the animal from the property.
• Homeowner Zeke Clark said the bear came through an open garage, panicked when the door closed, ran into a bathroom, and was shot there as he feared for his family's safety.
• The house lies in a rural part of Lake County near the Volusia County line, close to habitat south of Ocala National Forest where black bears are common.
• FWC plans neighborhood outreach and monitoring and advises residents to lock outside doors and secure garbage, pet food, bird feeders, and grills, with reports directed to 888-404-FWCC.