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Brock Horner, 40, has been charged with burglary with assault or battery, according to the Punta Gorda Police Department.
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The man at the center of a viral ‘boat rage’ incident in the Charlotte Harbor waterways of Punta Gorda has been arrested for burglary.
Brock Horner, 40, has been charged with burglary with assault or battery after video circulated of him jumping onto another boat, dangerously escalating an intense confrontation with a 22-year-old Gage Towles, who can be heard panicking and yelling in fear during the incident.
In a news release, the Punta Gorda Police Department said Horner pulled his boat alongside the 22-year-old’s boat without permission before unlawfully boarding it.
“During the unauthorized entry, Horner reportedly threatened the victim, escalating the situation into a criminal offense,” officers stated in the release.
The following exchange in the video between Horner and Towles took place. Horner can be heard threatening the 22-year-old.
HORNER: “You wanna f***ing go?”
TOWLES: “I don’t wanna f***ing go, I want you to get the f*** out of here.”
HORNER: “Dude, all these f***ers know I’m a tough, m*****f***er. We’re all f***ing war veterans. We’re all [Army] Rangers and you’re gonna talk s***.”
TOWLES: “Well, thank you for your service, bro. Thank you for your service, bro, but that doesn’t give you the right.”
The argument goes back and forth for minutes before the captain escalates as the boats float toward each other.
HORNER: “I’m the best charter captain you will ever meet in your f***ing life.”
TOWLES: “Alright, bro! Chill, bro! Chill, bro! Please, bro!
HORNER: Don’t hit the f***ing throttle.
Towles shuts off the throttle and they bob in the water.
TOWLES: “Please! Bro, I’m a kid, bro! Please!
TOWLES: “I’m sorry, bro! I’m sorry, bro!”
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our waterways—or anywhere else in our city,” Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith stated in the release. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors, both on land and on the water.”
The Punta Gorda Police Department will be holding a press conference at 8 a.m. today to provide more details on the arrest.
