A viral video capturing a heated exchange on the Peace River in Punta Gorda shows charter captain Brock Horner allegedly threatening 22-year-old fisherman Gage Towles by jumping onto his boat, leading to Horner's arrest for burglary with assault.
Towles was wearing a GoPro camera when Charter Captain Brock Horner of Tarpon Coast Fishing stormed his boat . He posted the video, and it went viral.
While the clip of the altercation went viral, prompting widespread speculation, the full footage had not been seen publicly until now.
The full 10-and-a-half-minute video, exclusively shared with Gulf Coast News, shows Horner harassing Towles near the US-41 bridge.
Steven Leskovich, Towles' attorney, explained that the public initially saw Horner's boat approaching Towles' boat closely and Horner starting to yell. However, the video reveals Horner driving his boat directly toward Towles' boat before abandoning his own vessel to step onto Towles' boat.
Toward the end of the video, someone from Horner's boat can be heard telling him to return to his boat.
"So obviously one of the four individuals from that boat, was telling them, like, look, stop whatever, and just get back on the boat. Let's just go about our married business," Leskovich said.
Punta Gorda police arrested Horner for burglary with assault a few days after the incident. Despite being traumatized, Towles has since obtained his captain's license, allowing him to take customers on guided charters or cruises. Leskovich said Towles wanted to turn the negative experience into something positive, as he has always been passionate about being on the water.
"He goes on the water and, you know, so that's something that he's always been passionate about," Leskovich said.
Towles is now advocating for boat safety, emphasizing the importance of always having a working GoPro, which he was fortunate to have during the incident.
More:
- Captain Brock Horner cited by FWC for additional violations on previous trip
- Boat captain arraigned in court on burglary with assault charges
-
Charter captain arrested following confrontation caught on video
- Mother demands refund after viral video
- 'Wrong Cpt. Brock'; Chokoloskee charter captain receiving death threats
- Exclusive: Attorney representing man attacked by charter boat captain speaks
- Victim in viral Punta Gorda boat video urges end to threats after Brock Horner's arrest
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