Charter boat captain’s rage-filled confrontation with young fisherman goes viral

A charter boat captain in Florida has recently gone viral after an intense confrontation with a young fisherman over an alleged near-collision incident. The incident, which took place on April 1st, shows 40-year-old Brock Horner boarding a small fishing boat to harangue Gage Towles, a young fisherman who was out on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The fiery exchange, which was recorded by Towles and later posted on his Facebook page, has garnered over 15 million views. In the video, Horner aggressively confronts Towles, accusing him of nearly causing a collision earlier that morning. Horner claims that Towles’ boat did not have safety lights on as required, leading to the near-collision.

Towles, however, denies the accusations and tries to deescalate the situation by explaining that he was just trying to fish in Peace River, a scenic river that flows into Charlotte Harbor. Despite Towles’ attempts to calm the situation, Horner continues to shout and berate him, even jumping onto Towles’ boat at one point.

The situation escalates further when Horner challenges Towles to a physical altercation, prompting Towles to speed off with Horner still aboard. Horner continues to yell and demand an apology from Towles, threatening him with further consequences if the situation repeats.

Following the incident, Horner was charged with burglary with assault or battery, non-forced entry. Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith condemned Horner’s behavior, stating that such actions would not be tolerated on the waterways.

In a statement released by his attorney, Horner apologized for his actions, attributing them to a moment of frustration and concern that escalated in an inappropriate manner. The statement also highlighted Horner’s background as a decorated combat veteran who had suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan.

Despite the apology, Horner’s attorney noted that the incident had taken a toll on Horner’s business, reputation, and personal life. Horner’s wife and mother have reportedly been harassed and threatened as a result of the viral video.

In conclusion, the confrontation between the charter boat captain and the young fisherman serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining composure and respect, especially in high-stress situations. The incident highlights the need for civility and understanding, even in moments of conflict, both on land and on the water.