Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd reported that deputies shot and killed a man who charged them with garden shears and attempted to seize a gun from their patrol vehicle, following an incident where he was attacked by an alligator while swimming across a lake.
Judd told reporters on Monday that 42-year-old Timothy Shultz was shot and killed after threatening to harm his deputies earlier in the day.
Deputies were dispatched around 6 a.m. on Monday in response to reports of a man at a Racetrack displaying “bizarre” behavior, “shaking,” and asking to contact his son.
Upon arrival, deputies searched for the man for approximately 40 minutes without success. Just before 7:45 a.m., a caller reported seeing a white male in a nearby lake known to have alligators, with one alligator close to him. The caller informed the operator that the man “must be drunk or high or something,” according to Judd.
Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed an armed suspect who was attacked by an alligator before he attacked deputies with garden shears. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
“I’ve said this over and over, and I’ll continue to say it: There are still people that want to make the community, or the nation, believe that drugs are low level and nonviolent,” he said. “Well, here’s your sign.”
Judd said Shultz was swimming across the lake and got really close to an alligator, appearing to be bitten by an alligator in his right arm.
“You know, that’s gotta be true. You can’t make it up, and, as a result, this is one more example of how violent people are when they use meth and use drugs,” Judd said. “When you can swim across the lake, sustain apparent alligator bites, grab shears, try to break into a vehicle, attack law enforcement officers, jump into their car, try to get their rifle and shotgun…you’re out of your mind on drugs. And it’s not his first time. He’s dead.”
“Quite frankly, his conduct was outrageous…it was bizarre,” the sheriff added. “Our deputies, by the way, are going home safe tonight.”
