Three men, including two social media influencers, face misdemeanor gun charges in Florida after a video allegedly showing them firing at an alligator in the Everglades spread widely online.
Braden Eric Peters, 20, known online as “Clavicular,” and Andrew Morales, 22, who goes by “Cuban Tarzan,” along with Yabdiel Anibal Cotto Torres, 27, were charged with unlawfully discharging a firearm in a public place by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, according to an ABC News report by Matt Foster and Ivan Pereira. Court records show charges were filed April 29 and a summons was issued Tuesday. All three are due in Miami-Dade court on May 20 for arraignment.
The incident allegedly took place March 26 at the Francis S. Taylor Everglades Wildlife Management Area boat ramp dock. According to the ABC News report, the group was on a boat ride through the Everglades when they came upon an alligator. Peters and Morales are seen in the video brandishing handguns and firing multiple shots at the animal while livestreaming.
Wildlife Investigators Got Involved
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) opened an investigation after the footage went viral. The agency said in a statement Wednesday that “FWC officers investigated the incident, verified the veracity of the videos and identified the individuals.” Wildlife officials have not confirmed whether the alligator was alive or dead when the shooting occurred.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office declined to comment, citing its policy of not discussing “open, pending criminal cases.”
What the Attorneys Say
Peters’ attorneys, Steven Kramer and Jeffrey Neiman, issued a statement to ABC News pushing back on the charge. They said the allegation “stems from following the instructions of a licensed airboat guide,” adding that Peters “relied on that guidance” and that no animals or people were harmed.
Richard L. Cooper, Morales’ attorney, similarly contested the characterization of events. In a statement to ABC News, he said there are “no allegations that any animal was harmed” and that his client “acted based on information and direction provided at the scene and did not possess any criminal intent,” cautioning against drawing conclusions before all facts are examined.
Attorney information for Cotto Torres was not immediately available, according to ABC News.
A Growing Legal Record
The Everglades incident is part of a pattern of legal trouble for Peters. On the same day — March 26 — he was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on a separate misdemeanor battery charge tied to a warrant from Osceola County. According to CBS News Miami’s reporting, authorities allege he instigated and recorded a physical altercation between two women at a rental property and posted it online. That case remains open and pending.
More recently, an 18-year-old content creator filed a civil lawsuit against Peters alleging battery, fraud, and sexual misconduct — including claims that he allegedly injected her with an unapproved substance during a livestream without her consent and used her image for commercial gain. These are civil allegations that have not been proven in court. Peters has not been criminally charged in connection with the lawsuit.
Peters’ primary YouTube channel was also terminated in November 2025. The platform told ABC News the channel was removed for “facilitating access to websites” that violated its policies on illegal or regulated goods.
What Is “Looksmaxxing”?
Peters built his following in the “looksmaxxing” subculture — an online trend centered on extreme self-optimization of physical appearance. He has discussed using prescription medications such as dutasteride and minoxidil, and has said he used methamphetamine as a stimulant and weight-loss tool, according to prior ABC News reporting. Medical professionals have publicly warned that these methods carry serious health risks.
What Comes Next
All three defendants are scheduled to appear in Miami-Dade court May 20. Discharging a firearm in a public place is a first-degree misdemeanor under Florida law, which carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, though actual outcomes vary by case.
This is not legal advice; consult a qualified attorney for guidance on specific legal matters.
SOURCES & LINKS
- ABC News / ABC7 Los Angeles — Matt Foster, Ivan Pereira, Kerem Inal — May 7, 2026 — https://abc7.com/post/looksmaxxing-influencer-clavicular-charged-allegedly-shooting-alligator/19053289/
- CBS News Miami (video report by Nikiya Carrero, transcript provided) — May 2026 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCgfldp0KNo
