Following a heated altercation on the waters of Peace River in Punta Gorda, charter captain Brock Horner has been arrested, with multiple law enforcement agencies, including Punta Gorda Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission involved in the case. As reported by WESH, the 40-year-old was charged with burglary with assault or battery (non-forced entry) after a video of the incident, which has since been widely circulated, showed Horner boarding another boater's vessel and initiating a physical confrontation.
The confrontation took place along the Peace River, where Horner is alleged to have boarded Gage Towles' boat without permission, and his aggressive behavior was deemed a criminal offense. FOX 35 Orlando reported that Scott Weinberg, Horner's initial attorney, has withdrawn from representing him, though the reasons for this move remain unclear. Video of the event exceeded 14 million views online, as Towles tried to de-escalate the situation by repeatedly asking Horner to leave and apologizing.
Authorities had traced the origins of the issue to a prior incident, highlighted by WINK News. Just days before the recorded altercation, Horner reportedly operated his vessel recklessly close to Towles' boat under the Gilchrist Bridge. This led to a verbal exchange that further escalated into the physical conflict that has since brought Horner before the criminal justice system.
Punta Gorda police Chief Pam Smith, in a statement detailed by FOX 35 Orlando, has stated, "This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our waterways — or anywhere else in our city," emphasizing a commitment to public safety both on the water and land. With Horner currently in custody at the Charlotte County Jail, a community that finds solace in the tranquil flow of the Peace River now awaits further developments, as well as the broader implications of a temper lost on its otherwise serene waters.
