A 15-year-old boy named Brigham Hawkins was attacked by a bear in Alpine, Arizona, on May 23, 2024. According to reports from various sources, the incident occurred while Brigham was alone in the family cabin watching TV. The bear entered the cabin through an open door and swiped at him from behind.
Brigham sustained injuries to his face and arm during the attack. His mother, Carol Hawkins, told reporters that her son's rare neurological disorder made it difficult for him to move quickly, which may have contributed to the bear's ability to catch him off guard.
Carol also shared that Brigham's older brother Parker heard the commotion and rushed to help. When Parker arrived at the cabin, he was initially mistaken for Brigham by the bear, causing it to chase him instead. This allowed Brigham to escape.
The bear was later identified as a 3-year-old male black bear and was killed by wildlife officers shortly after the incident.
Brigham received medical treatment for his injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. The attack marked the 16th time a person has been attacked by a bear in Arizona since records began in 1990, with two of these attacks resulting in fatalities.
The incident serves as a reminder to be aware of one's surroundings and secure food when venturing into areas where bears are known to reside.
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