Sheriff

Man Arrested for Killing Gator That Attacked Son

A Sumter County, Fl man is in legal trouble after he shot and killed an alligator that attacked his adult son.

Authorities say Reginald Blanton, 74, shot the alligator twice with a handgun after his horses were acting strangely and he spotted the reptile near them.

After he shot the gator, Blanton's son, 58-year old Jack Hildreth, walked toward the gator and that's when it lunged at his leg.

Another man helped pull Hildreth away from the gator and shot it again. Hildreth suffered severe injuries.

Sumter County Sheriff's deputies say Blanton's shooting of the gator was illegal. The 74-year old's family and friends say they are shocked by the arrest. Blanton has since bonded out of jail and has hired an attorney.

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