Florida Boat Captain Arrested After Viral Confrontation

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — A charter captain’s alarming confrontation with a young fisherman that was captured on video has led to his arrest. On Friday night, Brock Horner, 40, was taken into custody and charged with burglary with assault or battery following the incident that occurred on April 1 along the Peace River.

In a joint release from the Punta Gorda Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, officials detailed that Horner unlawfully boarded the victim’s boat, operated by 22-year-old Gage Towles, which violated maritime laws and led to criminal charges.

The dramatic encounter escalated quickly as captured in the recorded footage, where Horner can be seen aggressively confronting Towles about an unrelated boating incident that morning. Despite Towles’ attempts to de-escalate the situation by insisting that he was not the individual at fault, Horner’s aggressive demeanor intensified.

Authorities indicated that Horner threatened Towles and entered his boat without permission, prompting witnesses to contact law enforcement as the situation further developed. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our waterways — or anywhere else in our city,” commented Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors, both on land and on the water,” she added.

The incident garnered significant attention online, where the video of the confrontation has amassed over five million views and elicited widespread commentary about Horner’s actions. Many social media users condemned his behavior and called for regulatory investigations into his chartering practices.

In light of the incident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Coast Guard are conducting separate investigations into Horner’s actions, considering the implications for maritime safety and conduct. Horner is currently being detained at the Charlotte County Jail.

The fallout continues, as many are debating the future of Horner’s chartering license, with some calling for its revocation due to his apparent pattern of aggressive behavior. Horner has since issued a public apology through his attorney, expressing remorse for the incident and the distress it caused. The attorney’s statement emphasized Horner’s military background, noting he suffered severe injuries during his service in Afghanistan, which may have contributed to the altercation.

In a related development, Captain Brock Wagner, another charter captain unrelated to the incident, reported being mistakenly identified as Horner. Wagner expressed relief at the community support he received while clarifying that he bore no connection to the conflict. “The fishing community has really just stepped up, trying to set the record straight,” Wagner stated.

The Punta Gorda Police Department plans to hold a news conference on Saturday at 8 a.m. to provide further updates on the case and highlight the ongoing investigations. As this situation unfolds, authorities remain focused on ensuring safety and accountability on local waterways.