Man killed by bear while having coffee, dragged 75 feet down embankment.

Tragic Bear Attack Claims the Life of Man Enjoying His Morning Coffee

Steven Jackson, a 66-year-old man, met a horrifying end when he was attacked by a bear near Prescott, Arizona. The incident occurred on Friday at his campsite property in the Groom Creek Area, where he was in the process of building a home.

The peaceful morning took a terrifying turn when a male black bear launched a sudden assault on Jackson. The bear dragged him approximately 75 feet down an embankment, relentlessly mauling him.

Neighbors, alerted by Jackson’s desperate screams, rushed to his aid. They valiantly attempted to stop the attack, honking horns and trying various methods to deter the bear. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain.

BEAR ATTACKS AND KILLS MAN IN WOODS AROUND PRESCOTT
At about 7:50 this morning, the YCSO dispatch center received multiple 911 calls about a man who was being mauled by a bear in the Groom Creek area. Full Info https://t.co/uuuTYI9PU2 IG post by @ycsoaz https://t.co/Efz8T27M4z pic.twitter.com/JG6L35z5hE

— Yavapai Co Sheriff’s Office (@YavapaiSheriff) June 16, 2023

Finally, one brave neighbor managed to retrieve his rifle and shot the bear, forcing it to retreat. Tragically, Jackson had already succumbed to his injuries by that point.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls around 7:50 a.m., but by the time authorities arrived, both Jackson and the bear had tragically lost their lives.

The incident is currently under investigation, with one theory suggesting that the attack was predatory in nature.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department, present at the scene, confirmed that Jackson had not provoked the bear in any way.

Todd Geiler, a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, expressed condolences to Jackson’s family, acknowledging the unpredictability of wildlife. He stated, “This was an especially aggressive, unprovoked attack that reminds us that wildlife can be unpredictable. On behalf of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and the entire staff of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, we offer our sincere condolences during this difficult time.”

The bear’s carcass will be examined by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, who will conduct tests for any potential diseases.

Bear attacks are rare in Arizona, with only 15 reported since 1990, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Jackson’s tragic incident marks the second fatal attack within this timeframe. The first fatal attack occurred in 2011 in Pinetop, Arizona.

It is important to note that black bears are the only bear species found in Arizona.

For more details on this shocking incident, please visit The Western Journal.