A VIDEO showing an Army veteran appearing to threaten a young fisherman in Florida went viral in April 2025.
Here's everything you need to know about Captain Brock Horner, who features in the clip.
Who is Captain Brock Horner?
Captain Brock Horner is a US Army Ranger veteran and seasoned fishing guide affiliated with Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters based in , Florida.
He reportedly served as a paratrooper during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and is part of the Wounded Warriors alumni association.
A sixth-generation Florida native, Horner grew up fishing in the Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande areas, learning the craft from his grandfather.
He operates a 27-foot Pathfinder Hybrid boat to guide clients seeking to catch various fish species in Southwest Florida waters.
With over 25 years of experience, he has won numerous saltwater fishing tournaments, for species including redfish, snook and tarpon.
Previous arrests
While Brock Horner was a student at the University of Florida between 2003 and 2008, he faced multiple arrests.
These included being arrested for felony battery and possession of a weapon on school grounds.
During the same period, he was also charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license and probation violations.
Bonds for these offenses reportedly ranged from $500 to $1,000.
In 2010, he was arrested for disorderly conduct, followed by a DUI charge in 2014.
He also faced charges for violating probation or community control in 2016.
What happened in the viral video?
In April 2025, Captain Horner became the subject of controversy after a video posted on social media went viral.
He was captured being involved in a heated confrontation with 22-year-old Gage Towles, a young fisherman.
The incident occurred near the Barron Collier Bridge in Punta Gorda on April 1, 2025.
In the video, Horner approached Towles' boat with accusations about improper use of safety lights earlier that morning.
Despite Towles insisting he had turned on his lights and pointing out another boater who hadn’t, the situation escalated.
Horner boarded Towles’ boat without permission and continued yelling profanities.
Towles attempted to deescalate the situation by stating he was “just a kid” and apologizing.
When Horner persisted, Towles drove away briefly.
He returned to drop Horner off at his own boat.
The video amassed millions of views within hours on Facebook, sparking widespread criticism of Horner’s conduct.
Investigation
As of April 4, 2025, the Punta Gorda Police Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and US Coast Guard are investigating the incident.
The Punta Gorda PD said: “The event has garnered significant attention on social media, and we are receiving numerous calls to dispatch requesting that the department take action.
“Please do not call to report this situation; it is currently being investigated by both the Punta Gorda Police, FWC, and the US Coast Guard.
“Additional calls to our dispatch could slow our response to situations that require immediate attention.”
The incident has also ignited discussions about boating safety and anger management on the water.
