Influencer Charged After Shooting Alligator With Gun in Florida Everglades

In the shadow of the Florida Everglades, a digital controversy has escalated into a formal criminal investigation following a livestreamed incident involving 'looksmaxxing' influencer Clavicular. The streamer, whose legal name is Braden Peters, faces new charges after allegedly discharging a firearm at an alligator from an airboat within the Francis S. Taylor Everglades Wildlife Management Area.

According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail from the Miami-Dade State's Attorney's Office, Peters, 20, was quietly charged alongside two other individuals on April 29. The specific accusation is that he "unlawfully and knowingly [discharged] a firearm in a public place" on March 26. The footage, which circulated online, shows Peters pointing a handgun into the swampy waters and appearing to fire more than a dozen shots toward a motionless alligator.

The incident has drawn the immediate attention of both the Miami-Dade District Attorney's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). In an initial statement on X, the FWC noted they were aware of the video depicting individuals on an airboat who appeared to be shooting at an alligator and confirmed that officers are actively investigating the matter.

The video captured the moment Peters fired another round, stating, "Just got to make sure," before adding, "Yeah, I think it's dead." A bystander in the clip was heard questioning, "I think that gator is...," highlighting the confusion and potential danger present in the scene. The other individuals allegedly involved in the incident are Andrew 'Cuban Tarzan' Morales and Yabdiel Anibal Torres Cotto, who faced similar charges for their alleged participation in the event.

Legal representatives for Peters, including attorneys Steven Kramer and Jeffery Neiman, have pushed back against the severity of the situation, asserting that no animals were harmed. Their defense centers on the claim that Peters was merely following the instructions of a licensed airboat guide, arguing that he relied on that professional guidance. "Our client has been summoned to appear for a misdemeanor charge that stems from following the instructions of a licensed airboat guide," the attorneys stated. They expressed confidence that once the full context is understood, the public will see the incident for what they believe it to be.

Morales's attorney, Richard L Cooper, echoed these sentiments in an interview with NBC, telling the network that the men "relied on information and guidance provided by those in authority and had no criminal intent." Cooper urged the public not to rush to judgment regarding the case.

The legal stakes are significant, as intentionally shooting an alligator or crocodile without authorization is a federal offense in Florida. The trio is scheduled to be arraigned on May 20, a date that will determine the next steps in a case that underscores the risks of seeking viral content in protected natural environments.

Officials have clarified that no animal injuries occurred and current evidence contradicts the sensationalized stories circulating online regarding the incident. This statement underscores a critical need to rely on verified facts rather than unverified claims that quickly spread through digital channels.

The controversy surrounding the influencer is not isolated, as he faces a history of legal complications that extend beyond this specific event. Within days of the alleged alligator escapade, authorities arrested him for a misdemeanor assault charge connected to a physical altercation involving his girlfriend, Violet, and another content creator named Jenny Popach.

The violent confrontation reportedly took place during a Kick livestream earlier this year, which garnered hundreds of thousands of views before security intervened to separate the fighting parties. Footage showed the pair engaging in physical aggression, including pulling and striking one another inside a residential property, highlighting the volatile nature of some online interactions.

Further complicating his public image, reports from the Los Angeles Times indicate that Peters was hospitalized in April following an alleged drug overdose. These health concerns emerge shortly after his arrest in March, where he faced assault charges allegedly stemming from an incident involving the shooting of a wild alligator.

Peters initially gained significant traction in 2025 by promoting an extreme methodology for weight loss and altering his physical appearance. His social media presence grew rapidly, accumulating nearly one million followers on TikTok and over 300,000 subscribers on the streaming platform Kick.

Central to his brand was the concept of 'looksmaxxing,' a term that advocates for using fitness, medications, and grooming routines to enhance one's visual appeal. However, this approach has drawn intense scrutiny from medical professionals who have condemned his techniques as potentially dangerous to public health.

According to ABC 11, Peters allegedly promoted the use of methamphetamines for weight reduction and encouraged individuals to intentionally break their bones to reshape facial structures. Such advice represents a severe departure from standard medical practice and poses substantial risks to vulnerable communities seeking cosmetic improvement.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, and legal representation for Morales have all been contacted for comment regarding these developing events. Their responses will likely shape the ongoing legal and regulatory framework surrounding wildlife protection and influencer accountability.

These overlapping incidents suggest a pattern of behavior that warrants closer examination by regulatory bodies and community leaders. The potential impact on local ecosystems and public safety demands a measured response that prioritizes factual accuracy over viral narratives.