In a shocking incident, a 66-year-old Arizona man, Steven Jackson, was killed by a black bear in an unprovoked attack on his property in Groom Creek. The tragic event occurred Friday morning while Jackson was having coffee outside the home he was building. According to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, the bear dragged Jackson approximately 75 feet down an embankment.

Neighbors heard Jackson's screams and attempted to scare the bear away by yelling and honking their car horns, but their efforts were unsuccessful. A neighbor eventually shot and killed the bear with a rifle, but sadly, Jackson had already succumbed to his injuries.

This incident is considered extremely rare by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, with a similar event last recorded in the mid-1980s. Authorities are puzzled, as there was nothing on the property, such as food or water, that would typically attract a bear. The department believes the bear exhibited predatory behavior, but the exact trigger remains unknown.

Sheriff David Rhodes expressed his condolences to Jackson's family and emphasized the rarity and sadness of the situation. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating the incident. They caution residents against shooting bears unless they pose an immediate threat.

This tragic event follows a recent sighting of a black bear swimming near beachgoers in Destin, Florida, highlighting the importance of understanding and respecting wildlife interactions.