A fun day at the lake turned into a terrifying ordeal when a 12-year-old girl was attacked by an alligator while playing in shallow water at Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County, North Carolina.
According to the Lake Waccamaw Police Department (LWPD), the incident occurred on the evening of Friday, June 13, as several children splashed around in roughly four feet of water. Without warning, the girl suddenly cried out, “Something bit me!”
Moments later, the children were quickly pulled from the water—and then a 6 to 7-foot alligator surfaced. Authorities responded immediately and “neutralized” the reptile on site.
The girl sustained a deep laceration and scratches to her legs. While her injuries were serious, officials confirmed they were not life-threatening.
Feeding Alligators May Have Prompted the Attack
Alicia Wassmer, an alligator biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), told WECT that the alligator’s presence in the lake during daylight hours was highly unusual. Typically, alligators in Lake Waccamaw prefer murky, secluded areas.
Wassmer suspects human behavior may have influenced the animal’s actions.
“That kind of bold behavior is commonly seen in alligators that have been fed,” she explained.
Feeding alligators is illegal in North Carolina—and dangerous. Doing so can cause the animals to lose their natural fear of humans, prompting them to approach piers, docks, and swimming areas.
“This kind of incident can be the result—not necessarily affecting the person doing the feeding, but innocent people like this child,” Wassmer warned.
Even unintentional feeding, such as tossing fish scraps or bait into the water, can lead to altered behavior in alligators, increasing the risk of human encounters.
Authorities Urge Caution Around Wildlife
The LWPD stressed the importance of staying alert around local wildlife.
“Please respect the water and remember that these animals are wild, not pets,” the department said in a statement. “If you see an alligator, keep a safe distance—and if you’re in the water, get out immediately.”
Officials are reminding the public that preventing such attacks starts with keeping alligators wild — and people safe.
