Florida Man Bitten by Alligator, Attacks Deputies with Garden Shears, Killed

Bizarre Lakeland Incident

• ⚠️ A man, identified as 42-year-old Timothy Schultz, was involved in a series of strange events in Lakeland, Florida, culminating in his death.
• ⏰ The incident began shortly before 6:00 a.m. when an employee at a racetrack reported Schultz acting bizarrely.

Alligator Attack and Escalation

• 🐊 Deputies later received a call about a man in a lake behind the Christina Hammock neighborhood, which was described as alligator-infested.
• 🩸 Schultz was bitten on the arm by an alligator but continued swimming and eventually exited the water.
• 💥 He then attempted to break into a truck using a brick and subsequently attacked deputies with garden shears.

Confrontation with Law Enforcement

• ⚡ Deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation by tasing Schultz.
• 🚗 Despite being tased, Schultz climbed into a patrol vehicle and attempted to grab a rifle or shotgun.
• 🎯 Deputies then shot and killed Schultz.

Suspected Substance Influence and Criminal History

• 💊 Deputies believe Schultz was likely under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the incident.
• ⚖️ Sheriff Grady Judd noted that Schultz had a long criminal history, with his most recent arrest in April for possession of meth.
• 🤯 The sheriff expressed shock that Schultz continued his actions despite being bitten by an alligator, attributing this to the effects of narcotics.