PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WFLA) – The charter boat captain was identified with cameras attracting another boater in southwest Florida this week.
A video posted to Facebook and YouTube by Gage Towles shows the discussion between the two boats. This is in turn when the charter boat captain decides to step into the Towles boat.
Northport firefighters caught the camera and made a bowler along with the charter captain, the chief says
Attorneys for Captain Brock Horner provided the following statement to NBC affiliate WBBH:
“As both Brock Horner’s lawyer and his friend, I would like to address recent videos that are widely distributed online.
First and foremost, Block gives a sincere apologies to Gauge, Gauge’s family, and anyone who was scared or upset by what they saw. He’s deeply sorry. What began as a moment of frustration and concern escalated in ways that simply shouldn’t have. Gauge handled the situation with impressive calm and class, and that level of mind helped prevent things from getting much worse.
Brock isn’t proud of how he acted. But it’s important to remember. We are not the total of the worst days. The video captured a moment rather than the whole of who he was.
Since the video went viral, Block’s business has been destroyed, his reputation has been damaged, and his family, including his wife and mother, have been harassed and threatened. Some question his military service and blame him for his stolen courage.
Let’s be clear: Brock is a decorated combat veteran who was seriously injured in Afghanistan. He gave honors, won multiple medals and suffered traumatic brain damage in combat. He is 100% recognized as a disabled person by the Veterans Affairs Bureau. It’s not an excuse, but it’s part of his story. When this nation asked him, he rose up, and his service deserves respect.
We live in an age where online anger can quickly swirl into personal destruction. But as Gage showed grace at the moment, I ask others to do the same now. Let people be accountable, but also give them room to grow and fix.
Block is committed to doing just that.
Scott Weinberg, lawyer for Captain Brock Horner
Punta Gorda police said they are investigating the incident with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Northport Fire Rescue is investigating the incident after Fire Director Scott Titus revealed that one of the passengers on the charter captain’s boat was one of his firefighters. He identified the man as “Rigs, the Firefighter.”
Authorities have not released any additional details regarding the incident or its investigation.
