Florida Man Fatally Shot by Deputies After Alligator Bite, Meth-Fueled Rampage, and Attempt to Seize Weapons

A picture released by the Polk County Sheriff's Office in Florida shows what appears to be bullet holes in a patrol vehicle after sheriff's deputies shot a man in the vehicle, May 26, 2025.

A 42-year-old Florida man, identified as Timothy Schulz, was shot and killed by Polk County sheriff’s deputies on Monday after a series of chaotic and dangerous events that began with erratic behavior and ended in a deadly attempt to seize law enforcement weapons from a patrol vehicle.

According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the incident unfolded in the early morning hours after Schulz was seen acting bizarrely outside a convenience store around 5:56 a.m., shaking and asking to call his son. Deputies responded to the call but were unable to locate him at the time.

Timothy Schulz, 42, charged at two sheriff's deputies with gardening shears, diving into the patrol car and trying to access a gun in the moments before he was shot

Less than two hours later, around 7:43 a.m., multiple reports came in about a man swimming in a lake in Lakeland — a lake known to contain multiple alligators. Witnesses said the man ignored offers of help, including a life preserver, and even growled at a bystander. While in the water, Schulz was apparently bitten on his right arm by an alligator. Despite the injury, he emerged from the lake and continued his erratic behavior.

Schulz, believed to be under the influence of methamphetamine, picked up a set of garden shears in a gated residential community and attempted to break into a vehicle with a brick. When deputies arrived, they encountered Schulz charging at them with the shears. Despite giving verbal commands and deploying a Taser twice, Schulz did not comply.

He tried to climb inside the passenger side of the patrol car, making an effort to get his hands on the officers' gun

Sheriff Judd emphasized that deputies were attempting to de-escalate the situation and take Schulz into custody peacefully. However, the situation escalated further when Schulz entered the still-running patrol vehicle through the passenger side and attempted to retrieve a rifle or shotgun secured inside. At that point, the deputies opened fire, shooting Schulz multiple times to prevent him from gaining access to the weapons.

Photos shared by the sheriff’s office showed a patrol vehicle with multiple bullet holes in the windshield, underscoring the intensity of the confrontation.

He was treading water with just his head visible, but at one stage the witnesses reported seeing an alligator approach and bite his arm

Schulz had a documented history of drug-related arrests and had been released from jail just days earlier, following a methamphetamine possession charge. Sheriff Judd commented on Schulz’s altered state of mind during the incident, saying, “The fact that he was bitten by an alligator, significantly, and still continued his rampage is shocking. But if you're on enough meth, then the person you see is not the person that's attacking.”

The incident is currently under investigation, and both deputies involved have been placed on routine administrative leave as per department policy.

Swimming is not permitted in the lake due to the alligators