Charter Captain in Viral Boating Incident Arrested in Florida

The Florida charter boat captain at the center of a viral boating confrontation has now been arrested and charged following multiple days of online backlash and public pressure.

According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, 40-year-old Brock Horner was arrested late Friday near Port Charlotte and is now facing a felony charge of Burglary with Assault or Battery after allegedly boarding a young angler’s boat without permission and threatening him.

The incident, which occurred earlier this week on Charlotte Harbor under the Barron Collier Bridge, was captured on video and shared on social media by the victim, identified as Gage Towles. The footage quickly gained national attention, with millions of views and thousands of seething comments across platforms, most notably Facebook and YouTube.

In the video, Horner—who identifies himself as a captain and military veteran—can be seen yelling profanities at Towles, challenging him to a fight, and eventually stepping onto the young man’s boat. Police say Horner also grabbed the victim by the collar, turning the confrontation into a criminal offense.

“During the unauthorized entry, Horner reportedly threatened the victim, escalating the situation into a criminal offense,” Punta Gorda Police said in a statement.

Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith addressed the arrest, saying:

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our waterways—or anywhere else in our city. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors, both on land and on the water.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Coast Guard are also conducting separate investigations.

The Public Reacts to Horner’s Arrest

News of the arrest sparked another swell of online response, with many expressing relief that authorities acted.

“About time! That kid was terrified and handled it better than most adults would have,” one user wrote.
“You don’t get to act like that just because you’re a veteran or a boat captain,” said another.

Horner’s Attorney Issues Apology — but It Backfires Horribly

After the arrest, Scott Weinberg, Horner’s attorney and longtime friend, issued a public statement on behalf of his client.

“Brock sincerely apologizes to Gage, to Gage's family, and to anyone who was frightened or upset,” Weinberg said. “What began as a moment of frustration and concern escalated in a way it simply should not have.”

Weinberg also stated that Horner is a decorated combat veteran, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan and is recognized as 100% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

While the statement aimed to humanize Horner and ask for grace, to say it received mixed reactions would be a gross understatement. Some saw it as an attempt to shift blame or justify his behavior.

“He’s not sorry he did it—he’s sorry the world saw it,” one person commented.
“Veteran or not, there are consequences. You can’t threaten a kid on camera and expect people to just forgive and forget,” another wrote.

So What Now?

Horner remains in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. Police have not released further details about potential additional charges or whether Towles plans to pursue civil action.

Authorities are asking anyone with more information or a video of the incident to come forward. They are reminding people to stay calm and respectful and to always document if they feel safe on the water or anywhere else.

Local police were adamant about reminding viewers that boating in the Punta Gorda area is all about peace and should never be about threats, registering that all are welcome despite what may have transpired in this viral moment.