- Brock Horner was arrested Friday night on a felony charge.
- He was released on $20,000 bond the next day.
- The U.S. Coast Guard and FWC are still investigating, so additional charges are possible.
- Victim Gage Towles said he’ll be taking time off from fishing.
Brock Horner, the charter captain who terrorized a 22-year-old fisherman and then jumped on the victim’s boat, was arrested Friday night, days after a video of his threatening behavior went viral.
The News-Journal isn’t posting the video, titled “Charter captain jumps on my boat and tries to fight me for no reason,” because of the language.
Horner, 40, of Punta Gorda, was charged with burglary with assault or battery, a felony. He was released from the Charlotte County Jail Saturday morning on $20,000 bond.
But that’s just one case Horner is involved in. The United States Coast Guard and The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are also investigating the incident, Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith said in a press conference Saturday morning, and additional charges could be forthcoming.
Why was Brock Horner arrested?
Gage Towles, 22, was fishing alone under the Gilchrist Bridge in Charlotte Harbor April 1, at 7:30 p.m., Smith said during the press conference.
Horner, owner of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters, was on a boat with four other men when he confronted Towles. Smith described Horner as “very aggressive” and noted that Towles didn’t want to get involved and tried to “disengage.”
Smith said Horner jumped onto Towles vessel and “at one point grabbing the victim by the shirt.” She added that Towles was so afraid for his life that he considered jumping off the boat.
Florida captain’s viral bullying episode wasn’t first meeting
The incident stemmed from an earlier encounter that took place March 30 at about 5:30 a.m., Smith said. Towles told police Horner came within 10 feet of his boat “at a high rate of speed” and within 5 feet of another boat fishing in the same area. All three exchanged words at that time.
Who is Brock Horner? Florida charter captain apologizes after boat rage video goes viral
Where was Brock Horner arrested?
Horner was located in Port Charlotte Friday night and taken into custody, said MPO A.J. Russell, Punta Gorda Police marine officer. He was taken to the county jail and formally charged.
Smith said there’s nothing preventing Horner from returning to the water, adding that because Punta Gorda’s investigation, as well as FWC’s and the Coast Guard’s are still open, he could possibly lose his captain’s license. She said the three agencies are working together so they don’t duplicate efforts.
“We want to ensure everyone that Punta Gorda is a boater-friendly community,” Smith said. “We want our residents and our visitors to know that we take these things seriously and we want them to be able to enjoy our waterways.”
Gage Towles said he’s taking time off from the water
Towles, whose social media is filled photos of his best catches, and whose YouTube channel is dedicated to fishing, wrote on Facebook Saturday night that he’d be taking a break from his life’s passion.
“Won’t be fishing for a little bit,” the post reads. “But here’s my YouTube if you guys want to keep up with me in the future (heart emoji). Thank you so much.”
More than 317 people commented, with some suggesting he start his own charter fishing company and others telling him to take his time processing Horner’s actions. People from all around the country asked if he would take them fishing.
But whatever the posters suggested, they offered support, love and encouragement, and reminded him that the “community has his back.”
