Man attacked by alligator at Charlotte County retention pond

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. A 68-year-old homeless man was attacked by an alligator Monday morning at a retention pond near Kings Highway and Suncoast Boulevard, Charlotte County Fire and EMS said.

Frederic Iman sustained multiple bites at about 10:20 a.m. while he was bathing in a pond at 23970 Suncoast Blvd., authorities said. He walked to the nearby Charlotte Surgical Center and was airlifted to Lee Memorial Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries to his left foot, leg and groin area.

A 911 caller said the gator had bitten his toes off.

Iman was in fair condition Monday afternoon, the hospital said.

The 9-foot alligator has been seen in the area before, but it’s never gone after anyone, nearby residents said. But one of those residents, Ron Theisen, called for a sign to be put up warning of the gator’s presence.

“I know that they’re in here,” Theisen said. “I look for them. When I first walked up here I make sure I looked around just to be on the safe side because it only takes one mistake and you’re in a world of hurt.”

The alligator was trapped and will be euthanized.

Monday’s incident is the latest in a string of alligator attacks across Southwest Florida, including a man who was bit at DeSoto Veterans Memorial Park on July 17, a 71-year-old woman who was attacked in Fort Myers on July 9 and a 51-year-old man who is keeping the head of the alligator that attacked him on July 7.