Human Interest Shocking Video Shows Fla. Man Trapping Alligator into Garbage Bin: 'Somebody's Gotta Step Up' Abdul Gene Malik captured the six-foot reptile in the bin before rolling it towards a retention pond and pushing it over By Joelle Goldstein Joelle Goldstein Twitter Joelle Goldstein is a TV Staff Editor for PEOPLE Digital. She has been with the brand for five years, beginning her time as a digital news writer, where she covered everything from entertainment news to crime stories and royal tours. Since then, she has worked as a writer-reporter on the Human Interest team and an associate editor on the TV team. In her current role, Joelle oversees all things TV and enjoys being able to say she has to watch The Kardashians, Dancing with the Stars and America's Got Talent for "work". Prior to joining PEOPLE, Joelle was employed at The Hollywood Reporter. She graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Television-Radio (and an appearance in the NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four!) People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 30, 2021 07:09 PM Share Tweet Pin Email A Florida man has become an internet sensation after he was recorded trapping a massive alligator into a garbage bin outside of his neighbor's home. Abdul Gene Malik told NBC affiliate WESH that he didn't think twice about taking action when he heard a six-foot alligator had appeared in his Orange County neighborhood. "Somebody's gotta step up and do something," said Malik, who also goes by Eugene Bozzi. "We all got to look out for each other right?" And that's exactly what he did. Despite the fact the military veteran and father had only lived in Florida for a year, Malik took it upon himself to trap the alligator inside a neighbor's trash bin, according to WESH. "I don't know the procedures, so I did it my own way," he told the outlet of why he didn't call in experts. Animal Trainer Saved by Bystander After Alligator Attacks Her During Kids Birthday Party As shown in the viral footage, Malik slowly inched towards the reptile with the bin wide open. As he got closer, Malik flipped the lid onto the alligator before successfully trapping him inside. "I was frightened when I had it in [the bin] because it was so powerful," he recalled to WESH. "And I didn't expect that, it was pushing out, whipping its tail around." Though the reptile was crawling outside Denise Sparks' home, she told the outlet she had no idea until she heard the alligator flailing around in the garbage bin. "I would have been gator food, I would have fainted," she recalled. "I said, 'What in the world is going on?' I heard boom, boom, boom." Once the gator was successfully trapped, Malik carefully rolled the bin towards a nearby retention pond and pushed it over before sprinting up the hill. "[My] army training kicked in," the former Philadelphia resident explained to WESH of his actions. "Get it done, dropping it in, keep moving." Alligator Moved by Hurricane Sally's Storm Surges Appears Swimming Outside Alabama Home Following the incident, the video was posted online and to Malik's Instagram, where it went viral. Thousands of people viewed the shocking footage and left comments commending him for his heroic response or cheekily asking if he was single. "Got more heart and courage than trained professionals.. give this man a job NOW," wrote one person. "If my man don't protect me like this, I don't want him," joked another user. Florida's Orange County even weighed in on the incident but advised others not to attempt the same thing. "Reminder: Alligators are not recyclable in your blue lid cart. Please call the @MyFWC Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286 for assistance," they tweeted.