An enraged Florida charter boat captain was caught on camera jumping onto a young fisherman’s small boat during a profanity-laced tirade that has since gone viral.
Brock Horner, 40, was charged with assault for jumping onto a boat operated by Gage Towles in Punta Gorda’s Charlotte Harbor and aggressively accosting the 22-year-old over an alleged incident earlier in the day, according to police.
The crazed incident, which has garnered more than 15 million views on Facebook, escalated when Towles told Horner he had the wrong person — and told him he can’t come “flying through the bridge area.”
“You wanna f–ing go?” Horner, who identified himself and his passengers as war veterans, screamed.
Towles tells Horner that he didn’t have permission to be “flying through the bridge area” of Peace River, a scenic river that flows into Charlotte Harbor. YouTube/SixFourFishingTowles questioned whether the boater was trying to act tough in front of his friends as he told him to “get the f–k out of here,” the footage showed.
“Dude, all these f–ers know I’m a tough motherf—er,” Horner howled.
“I’m the best charter captain you’ll ever meet in your mother f–ing life,” he screamed before suddenly jumping onto Towles’ boat, according to the footage.
“Chill bro, chill bro please!” a frightened Towles repeatedly yelled as he hit the throttle and attempted to speed away with Horner aboard.
“I’m a kid bro, I’m a kid.”
The viral video has generated over 15 million views on Facebook. YouTube/SixFourFishingHorner continued to berate the younger angler and demand an apology as Towles ran to the edge of his boat and pleaded that he never did what he was being accused of while anxiously apologizing.
“Do it again, and watch what f–ing happens,” Horner shrilled, as Towles shared his appreciation for his military service, according to the video.
“You f–ed with the wrong motherf—er.”
Brock Horner, 40, was charged with assault. Charlotte County Sheriff's OfficeThe viral incident landed a now-apologetic Horner behind bars and charged with burglary with assault or battery, non-forced entry, police said.
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our waterways–or anywhere else in our city,” Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith said in a statement.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors, both on land and on the water.”
The viral incident landed a now-apologetic Horner behind bars and charged with burglary with assault or battery, non-forced entry, police said. YouTube/SixFourFishingThe unhinged boat captain’s attorney has since released a statement sharing his client’s remorse while praising Towles for his “impressive composure” and “level-headedness.”
“He is deeply sorry,” the statement reads, in part, according to Gulf Coast News Now.
“What began as a moment of frustration and concern escalated in a way it simply should not have.”
Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith said behavior like Horner’s would not be tolerated on waterways. YouTube/SixFourFishingThe statement also noted that Horner is a decorated combat veteran who was severely injured in Afghanistan, adding that his reputation and business have been tarnished since Towles’ video went viral.
“He served honorably, earned multiple medals, and suffered a traumatic brain injury in combat. He is recognized as 100% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs,” the statement continued.
“That’s not an excuse — but it is part of his story. He stood up when this country asked him to, and that service deserves to be respected. We live in a time when online outrage can quickly spiral into personal destruction. But just as Gage showed grace in the moment, I ask others to do the same now.”
Horner is being held at the Charlotte County Jail.






