Daniel Island, S.C. — Dozens of people gathered at a South Carolina coastal apartment on Saturday, reminiscing about a longtime resident who passed away the day before.
Walter was murdered on property after several complaints last week, management at Daniel Island Village told Charleston’s NBC affiliate WCBD in a statement.
Neighbors at an apartment near Charleston said Walter not only had been hanging out in the complex for over a decade, but also had earned a name, as well as gaining a bit of fame.
Vigil organizer Rebekah Cole told the TV station that people with pets and children don’t get bothered by passing Walter.
“He was part of the community. He was a cold-blooded animal, but we all loved him and that tore us,” Cole said.
In a February 2024 Facebook post, Daniel Island Village marked warm weather with photos of alligators wandering by the pond after the cold winter.
“Dayday Time is coming to an end! It’s getting warmer! Daniel Island Village is on the verge of beautiful flowers! The evidence is in the pudding, Walter is out!!” The post read.
Crocodiles are federally protected species that have been threatened, but state law allows people to kill or remove them if they threaten them.
At least six people have been killed by South Carolina crocodiles over the past decade.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said in a statement that the apartment was removed when it determined that its permit to remove crocodiles over the past two years was annoying and could hire a contractor to remove the animals.
A statement from a property manager last week said Walter’s death was in accordance with state law and “the news about his death is painful and (we) could be truly grateful for your understanding.”
“In the future, please continue to adhere to posted signs about not feeding wildlife, including crocodiles,” the Property Management said.
