Florida charter captain who raged on young boater has been arrested

Boat rage found a young man pleading for his life in a viral video of an incident that led to a Florida charter captain’s arrest.

“I’m a kid, bro, please.”

Tuesday, beneath Florida’s Gilchrist Bridge connecting Punta Gorda with Port Charlotte, the Peace River was the site of an expletive-filled back and forth that quickly escalated to an arrest-worthy charge. During a Friday press conference, the Punta Gorda Police Department confirmed that 40-year-old charter captain Brock Horner was arrested and charged with Burglary with Assault or Battery (non-forced entry) following their investigation into his alleged actions of boarding and threatening another boater’s vessel.

In the viral video filmed by the victim, Gage Towles, Horner was identified as the man who pulled up near the young fisherman’s boat and began to question if he was in the same location around 5 am that morning. The captain then began accusing Towles of cursing at him as an argument ensued over whether or not the young man’s boat had its lights on when Horner had passed under the bridge at speed.

The argument ultimately resulted in Towles attempting to pull away too late as Horner had boarded his boat and continued his expletive-laden rant amid apologies from the young man who pled, “I’m a kid, bro, please.”

“I don’t care. You don’t cuss me the f*ck out and talk sh*t to me, motherf*cker,” the captain could be heard saying as he was brought back to his own vessel. “Do it again, and watch what f*cking happens.”

Florida charter fishing Captain Brock Horner of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters (941)-822-5908 Threatens a teenage boy who was minding his own business fishing. He claims to be a “Tough guy” and a “Combat veteran” A tough guy doesn’t threaten a teenager. https://t.co/3fXC3596Gc pic.twitter.com/AQAcUg5ZLN

— Barry (@_Cowboy_Town) April 3, 2025

Prior to the unlawful boarding and after being asked what he wanted, Horner appeared to posture towards Towles, who insisted all he wanted was for the captain to leave before reminding, “You pulled up on me motherf*cker!”

“What are you trying to do, act like a tough guy in front of your buddies?” he added before Horner responded, “All these motherf*ckers know I’m tough, motherf*cker,” and “We’re all f*cking war veterans.”

Towles’ expressed gratitude for their service wasn’t enough to calm the irate captain, who maneuvered his vessel alongside Towles’ before boarding.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our waterways–or anywhere else in our city,” asserted 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.”

Detailing that the investigation had led to Horner’s arrest and his detention in Charlotte County Jail, a joint press release with the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission detailed, “According to the investigation, Horner pulled his vessel alongside the victim’s boat without permission and unlawfully boarded it. During the unauthorized entry, Horner reportedly threatened the victim, escalating the situation into a criminal offense.”

Before the arrest, Horner’s attorney had released a statement that read in part, “Brock is deeply sorry and apologizes to Gage. His reputation has been damaged and his family harassed and threatened.”

Meanwhile, North Port Fire Rescue Chief Scott Titus issued his own statement on the incident after Firefighter Riggs was identified as one of the passengers on the charter boat in question.

“He is a North Port Firefighter and a celebrated military veteran known for his calm, easygoing demeanor, and his passion for service to his Country and to the citizens of North Port,” said Titus, who maintained that the justice system called for innocence until guilt was proven. “We will continue to honor and value his past service to country and his investment in our community as we determine the facts of the case and address them.”

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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