A man claiming to be the “best charter captain you’ll ever meet” has been arrested after a video of him verbally attacking and allegedly illegally boarding another angler’s boat went viral.
Brock Horner, 40, was seen in the video boarding the vessel without permission, operate by Gage Towels, 22, according to the Punta Gorda Police Department.
“I’m the best charter captain you’ll ever meet in your mother f–ing life,” he yelled as he jumped aboard.
The attack happened Tuesday in the water in Punta Gorda, Florida. Horner boated up to Towels, who was fishing, and questioned him about an incident that occurred on March 30 around 5:30 am, according to a press release by the police department.
Towels told investigators that Horner had crossed under the Gilchrist Bridge between two anglers at high speed, coming within 10’ of his vessel and five feet of the other vessel, Chief of Police Pam Smith said in the release.
One angler, not associated with Towels and on a different vessel, allegedly cursed at Horner for reckless behavior, while Horner reportedly thought it was Towels who berated him. Horner demanded an apology before grabbing Towels by the shirt.
Towels’ is heard throughout the video apologizing and pleading, “please bro, please bro.”
Towels is also heard explaining that he had been boating, but another person had cursed at Horner: He then pointed, signaling where the other boater was located.
“I’m not going to do this with you, bro… It’s not the right time, bro,” Towels said.
Horner can be heard reportedly escalating the incident with demands for an apology.
Horner was arrested on Friday and charged with burglary with assault or battery, a first–degree felony under Florida Statute 810.02(2)(a)
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard continue to investigate the case.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Brock Horner/Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office]