Tragic Unprovoked Attack by Black Bear Kills 66-Year-Old Arizona Man

A 66-year-old Arizona man was killed in a rare and unprovoked attack by a black bear on Friday morning in Yavapai County, the county sheriff’s office said.

Steven Jackson was sitting at a table having a coffee on a site where he was building a cabin when the adult male bear attacked him, the sheriff’s office said. Neighbors and witnesses attempted to distract the bear by honking horns and other means, but were unsuccessful.

The bear dragged Jackson approximately 75 feet down an embankment before it was fatally shot by a neighbor. The sheriff’s office said there did not seem to be anything on the site that would have attracted the bear or caused an attack, such as food, a cooking site or access to water.

The attack is being described as “highly uncommon” by the sheriff’s office. Black bears are generally shy and reclusive animals, and attacks on humans are rare.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the incident and has asked anyone with information to contact them. They are also reminding people to be aware of their surroundings when in wooded areas and to take precautions to avoid bear encounters.