Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies shot and killed a man who charged deputies with garden shears and tried to grab a gun from a patrol vehicle, all after 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 responded to reports at about 6 a.m. on Monday of a man who was at a Racetrack who was acting “bizarre” and “shaking,” while asking to call his son.

When deputies arrived, they searched for the man for about 40 minutes without success. Then, just before 7:45 a.m., a caller said there was a white guy in a nearby lake that is filled with alligators, with one alligator near the man. The caller told the operator the man “must be drunk or high or something,” Judd said.

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.”