A 66-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS KILLED BY A BLACK BEAR THIS MORNING (FRIDAY) IN THE GROOM CREEK AREA.

KRISTIN GREENE, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE YAVAPAI COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, SAID THAT THE ATTACK WAS UNPROVOKED.

THE YAVAPAI COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NORMALLY INVESTIGATES ANY DEATHS IN THE COUNTY, BUT SINCE THE DEATH INVOLVED A WILD ANIMAL, THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT WILL HANDLE THE INVESTIGATION.

GREENE SAYS THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED REPORTS OF ANY AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR FROM BEARS THIS SEASON.