An alligator has been shot and killed in a Central Florida state park and wildlife officials now say killed a swimmer.
James Okkerse, 62, was found dead in Blue Spring State Park on Monday afternoon after a 12-ft. alligator nearby took him underwater while he was swimming with two friends.
Okkerse was swimming with two friends when he disappeared. A large alligator had been seen nearby. His body was found Monday afternoon in a lake in Blue Spring State Park used for swimming.
The Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death of James Okkerse as being consistent with an alligator attack.
Okkerse was missing in Blue Spring State Park just before 9 a.m. Monday, October 19, 2015 and his body was found Monday afternoon. An Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hunt for the alligator was begun, and the examination of the alligator confirmed that the alligator had killed Okkerse.
A commission spokesman said a 12-and-a-half-foot alligator was captured and euthanized and was confirmed to have been involved in the attack.
Blue Spring State Park has a sign that declares the lake has a diverse population of fish including Bowfin and Tilapia. Area swimmers want more adequate warning about alligators.
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