Prosecutors in Florida have charged an influencer named Clavicular with discharging a firearm in public, linked to an incident where he allegedly shot a dead alligator earlier this year.
Braden Peters, known for his platform LookMax, faces criminal charges after reportedly firing a gun at the alligator while livestreaming from the Everglades and the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. Authorities stated that the alligator was found floating upside down when the shots were fired, as noted by TMZ.
According to prosecutors, Clavicular “unlawfully and intentionally discharged a firearm in a public place, on public pavement, highway, street right-of-way, or on occupied property.” Should he be convicted, he could face up to a year in prison.
Footage from the incident shows the influencer on an airboat in the Everglades encountering the dead alligator and seemingly firing multiple rounds from a handgun at it.
Clavicular’s legal team, consisting of Stephen Kramer and Jeffrey Neiman, claims that their client was just “following the instructions of a licensed airboat guide” and “relying on their guidance.” They argue that “no animals or humans were harmed” in the process.
Authorities raised the point that if the alligator had been alive, the influencer could have faced federal charges because American alligators are categorized as endangered and are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission began investigating the incident shortly after the video came to light.
“We are confident that once the full story is understood, people will see this for what it is,” Neiman and Kramer spoke to TMZ.
Recently, Clavicular has dealt with several challenges, including misdemeanor assault and conspiracy to commit assault charges related to an alleged staged fight between two women. Law enforcement has accused him of instigating the situation.
In addition, YouTube removed two of his channels in April, which was after he was hospitalized due to an overdose during a livestream.
