Bear shot to death after breaking into Florida home, officials say. ‘Pure fear’
A bear was shot to death after breaking into a Florida home, officials said.
Zeke Clark told WESH the bear roamed into his garage, where it got trapped before entering the house. The creature made its way through the living room and into a bathroom, leaving behind a path of destruction as it tried to get out.
“Pure fear for me,” the homeowner told the TV station. “I mean, seeing an animal that big come at you. Coming face to face with it. It is not something you want to deal with.”
The scary moments unfolded Sept. 19 in DeLand, a roughly 40-mile drive northeast from Orlando. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it received a report that a bear had gotten into a home.
“The bear was shot and killed by the home’s occupants and no injuries to the occupants have been reported. FWC Law Enforcement documented evidence of damage to the exterior doors consistent with entry by a bear,” the commission told McClatchy News via email, adding that wildlife officials plan to keep an eye out for bear activity in the DeLand area.
Black bears are the only species of bear living in the wild in Florida. People in the Sunshine State who have threatening encounters with the animals or who see them in distress are asked to call 888-404-3922.
“Bears are in search of more food to increase their fat reserves for winter,” officials wrote. “Secure attractants such as food, garbage, bird feeders, or grills, and lock external doors at night.”
McClatchy News reached out to a Facebook user believed to be Clark and is awaiting a response.
What to do if you see a bear
Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.
There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.
- Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.
- Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.
- Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.
- Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.
- Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.
- Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.
- Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.
- Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.
- Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.
- Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.
This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Bear shot to death after breaking into Florida home, officials say. ‘Pure fear’."
