A Punta Gorda charter captain has been arrested following a heated confrontation on the Peace River that was captured on video and has since gone viral. The incident, which unfolded under the Barron Collier Bridge on April 1, involved Captain Brock Horner, 40, of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters, and 22-year-old fisherman Gage Towles. Horner owns Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters in the southwest Florida town.
According to reports, the altercation began when Horner approached Towles’ boat, as Towles was fishing underneath the Barron Collier bridge on the Peace River in Charlotte Conty, Florida. In a video of the incident captured by Towles, Horner could be heard accusing Towles of operating without proper navigation lights earlier that morning. Despite Towles’ attempts to explain and deescalate the situation, Horner’s agitation escalated. The video shows Horner shouting profanities and then unlawfully boarding Towles’ vessel. Towles can be heard apologizing and stating, “I’m just a kid,” in an effort to calm Horner. Horner eventually left Towles’ boat and returned to his own.
Three other men, who were presumably charter clients on Horner’s boat, did not get involved in the altercation.
Horner Arrested
Following the widespread circulation of the video, which amassed millions of views on social media, local authorities took action. On April 4, the Punta Gorda Police Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), arrested Horner. He has been charged with burglary with assault or battery (non-forced entry) and and has been released from the Charlotte County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our waterways—or anywhere else in our city. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors, both on land and on the water.”
Captain Horner’s Background
Captain Brock Horner claimed a background as a U.S. Army Ranger veteran, though that remains to be verified. Brock is the owner of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters based in Punta Gorda. A sixth-generation Florida native, Horner claims over 25 years of fishing experience and having participated in numerous saltwater fishing tournaments. He operates a 27-foot Pathfinder Hybrid boat, guiding clients in the Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande areas.
According to public records, Horner has a troubled past and multiple arrests dating back to 2003. These include charges for felony battery, DUI, and probation violations. More recently, he faced charges for disorderly conduct in 2010 and another DUI in 2014.
Public and Professional Reactions
The viral nature of the video has sparked significant public outcry. The Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda announced it has severed ties with Horner in response to the incident. Other local charter captains have also expressed concern over the negative attention this incident has brought to the industry. Captain Coby Leahey remarked, “When I was watching, I was almost kind of embarrassed for him yelling out he’s a charter captain… making us look bad.”
Statement
In response to the incident, Horner’s attorney, Scott Weinberg, released a statement expressing Horner’s remorse:
“First and foremost, Brock sincerely apologizes to Gage, to Gage’s family, and to anyone who was frightened or upset by what they saw. He is deeply sorry. What began as a moment of frustration and concern escalated in a way it simply should not have. Gage handled the situation with impressive composure and class, and that level-headedness helped prevent things from becoming far worse.” Weinberg also highlighted Horner’s military service, noting that he is a decorated combat veteran who was severely injured in Afghanistan and suffers from a traumatic brain injury. He urged the public to consider the entirety of Horner’s character, stating, “We are not the sum of our worst day.”
Ongoing Investigations
The U.S. Coast Guard and the FWC are conducting separate investigations due to the nature and location of the incident. Authorities have requested that the public refrain from inundating dispatch centers with calls regarding this situation to ensure resources are available for other emergencies.
