Bitten by Gator, Fueled by Meth, Florida Man Attacks Cops [WATCH]

A Florida man was fatally shot by law enforcement on Monday morning after a chaotic chain of events that included swimming in an alligator-infested lake, being bitten by a gator, and charging deputies with a pair of garden shears, as reported by The New York Post.

The incident began around sunrise in Lakeland, Florida, located south of Orlando, where 42-year-old Timothy Schulz was seen swimming in Lake Parker. Witnesses alerted authorities after observing Schulz in the water behaving erratically.

Suspect Timothy Patrick Schulz, released from the Polk County Jail on May 20, 2025, for possession of meth. pic.twitter.com/Nss7GgKHSt

— Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) May 26, 2025

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When good Samaritans attempted to toss him a life vest, he reportedly growled at them before being bitten on the arm by an alligator.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a press conference Monday detailing the event.

“The fact that he was bitten by an alligator and still continued his rampage is shocking. But if you’re on enough meth, then the person you see is not the person that’s attacking.”

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Despite the bite, Schulz made his way out of the lake and allegedly broke into a nearby residence, where he obtained a pair of garden shears. Deputies responding to the scene encountered Schulz, who then charged at them with the shears in hand.

According to authorities, one deputy deployed a stun gun in an effort to subdue Schulz, but the taser had no effect. Deputies attempted to take him into custody peacefully, but Schulz then tried to enter a patrol vehicle and reportedly attempted to access a deputy’s firearm.

“At that time, our deputies shot multiple times,” Sheriff Judd said. “As a result, Timothy is deceased.”

Schulz had a lengthy criminal record, primarily involving narcotics. According to officials, he had been released from Polk County Jail on May 20 following a recent methamphetamine-related arrest.

The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, following standard protocol, while the incident is under investigation.

“Man Survives Alligator Attack, Fatally Shot by Deputies” — Es tendencia. Timothy Schulz, en Florida, fue perseguido por policías tras ser visto actuando de manera errática. Se sumergió en un lago con caimanes, fue mordido, y al enfrentarse a las autoridades, intentó agarrar… pic.twitter.com/3GtGNfeS63

— ¿POR QUÉ ES TENDENCIA EN ? (@ULTIMAHORAENX) May 27, 2025

Law enforcement did not report any injuries to responding officers, and the alligator attack appeared to have resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to Schulz prior to the fatal shooting.

The investigation is ongoing.

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