PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Punta Gorda Police Department addressed the viral confrontation Saturday morning, between a Florida charter captain and a fisherman that led to an arrest earlier this week.

Around 7:30 p.m. on April 1, 40-year-old Brock Horner pulled his boat alongside the victim’s boat and boarded it without permission.

In the video, which has since gone viral, the fisherman, Gage Towles, tells Horner he can’t go flying underneath the 41 bridge in Punta Gorda, roughly 10 feet from the other boat. Horner was upset about an incident on March 30 around 5:30 a.m., regarding Towles and others fishing in the dark without their lights on in the same area.

The charter captain is heard screaming, cursing and becoming aggressive toward Towles before he jumps aboard the victim’s boat. Horner threatened Towles and grabbed him by the shirt, demanding him to apologize for the prior incident.

After police conducted several interviews with the victim and witnesses, they established probable cause to arrest Horner in connection with the unlawful boarding and threats under Florida Statue 810.02(2)(A) – Burglary with Assault or Battery (non-forced entry).

As of Friday night, Horner remains in the Charlotte County Jail.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our waterways—or anywhere else in our city,” Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith said. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors, both on land and on the water.” 

To watch the entirety of the viral video, click here.

Along with the police department’s investigation, the Florida and Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Coast Guard are conducting separate investigations given the nature and location of the incident.

Punta Gorda police said further details will be released as the investigation continues.

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