In a dramatic and tragic series of events on Memorial Day, a 42-year-old Florida man, Timothy Schulz, was fatally shot by deputies after surviving an attack by an alligator and allegedly trying to seize weapons from a police vehicle.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to several unusual calls early Monday morning involving Schulz, who was reportedly behaving erratically and possibly under the influence of methamphetamine. The string of incidents unfolded across several hours and locations.
Bizarre Behavior Spotted at Local Store
At around 6 a.m. on May 27, 2025, a clerk at a Lakeland convenience store alerted authorities about a man acting strangely—trembling, incoherent, and asking to call his son. By the time deputies arrived, Schulz had left the store and could not be found.
This first encounter marked the beginning of a chaotic day that would later involve wildlife, attempted theft, and a deadly confrontation with law enforcement.
Man Bitten by Alligator in Residential Lake
Roughly two hours after the store incident, Schulz was spotted swimming in a lake inside a gated community known to be home to alligators. Witnesses reported that he was refusing help, growling at residents, and exhibiting unstable behavior.
As residents watched, Schulz was attacked by an alligator, which bit him on the arm. Despite the injury, he managed to exit the lake and made his way into a nearby yard.
According to the sheriff’s office, he grabbed a pair of garden shears and a brick and attempted to break into a vehicle parked outside the home. Residents again contacted police.
Violent Encounter With Deputies
When deputies returned to the scene, Schulz reportedly charged at them with the shears. Officers attempted to subdue him with a Taser, but it had no effect.
He then ran toward an unoccupied patrol vehicle, got inside, and began trying to access the secured firearms inside the car. Fearing for their safety and that of others, the deputies opened fire.
Schulz was pronounced dead at the scene.
Criminal History and Recent Jail Release
Sheriff Grady Judd later stated that Schulz had been released from jail just a week earlier and had a long history of drug-related charges. The sheriff’s office suspects Schulz was under the influence of meth at the time of the incident, although toxicology results are pending.
“This is one of the most bizarre and dangerous situations we’ve encountered,” Judd said during a press briefing. “This individual was a danger to himself and everyone around him.”
Investigation Underway
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is conducting an independent investigation into the use of force, as per standard protocol. The two deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.
The incident is also being reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit.
Polk County officials emphasized the chaotic nature of the incident and the split-second decisions officers had to make. No deputies were injured during the encounter.