Braden Peters, the social media influencer known online as Clavicular, has been charged after allegedly shooting at an alligator in the Florida Everglades during a livestream. The 20-year-old Kick streamer and TikTok creator, whose real name is Braden Peters, was quietly charged alongside two others on April 29.
Details of the Incident
According to documents from the Miami-Dade State's Attorney's Office obtained by the Daily Mail, Peters 'unlawfully and knowingly discharged a firearm in a public place' on March 26. In a video posted online, Peters was captured pointing a handgun into swampy waters from an airboat at the Francis S. Taylor Everglades Wildlife Management Area, as reported by NBC Miami.
Peters appeared to fire more than a dozen gunshots toward a helpless alligator lying motionless in the water. 'I think that gator is...' said one bystander in the video obtained by TMZ. 'Just got to make sure,' responded Peters before firing another round. 'Yeah, I think it's dead.'
Social media stars Andrew 'Cuban Tarzan' Morales and Yabdiel Anibal Torres Cotto allegedly joined Peters on the water and faced the same charges.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The footage prompted a criminal investigation from the Miami-Dade District Attorney's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The FWC wrote on X at the time: 'The FWC is aware of a video depicting individuals in the Everglades on an airboat who appear to be discharging firearms at an alligator. FWC officers are looking into the incident and will provide additional information when available.'
Attorneys Steven Kramer and Jeffery Neiman, representing Peters, told the Daily Mail that 'no animals' were harmed in the controversial clip. 'Our client has been summoned to appear for a misdemeanor charge that stems from following the instructions of a licensed airboat guide,' they said. 'He relied on that guidance. No animals or people were harmed. We are confident that once the full picture is understood, people will see this for what it is.'
In Florida, intentionally shooting an alligator or crocodile without authorization is a federal offense. Peters, Morales, and Torres are scheduled to be arraigned on May 20.
Morales's attorney Richard L Cooper told NBC that the men 'relied on information and guidance provided by those in authority and had no criminal intent.' He added: 'We urge the public not to rush to judgment. Importantly, there is no allegation that any animal was injured, and the available evidence does not support the sensationalized narrative that has circulated online.'
Previous Legal Troubles
This is not Peters' first encounter with the law. Within days of the alleged alligator shooting, the influencer was arrested for a misdemeanor assault charge. The arrest was reportedly linked to a physical altercation involving his girlfriend, known as Violet, and influencer Jenny Popach, as previously reported by the Daily Mail. The altercation occurred during a Kick livestream earlier this year, drawing hundreds of thousands of views online, with the pair seen hitting and pulling each other's hair inside a house before being separated.
In April, Peters was hospitalized for an alleged overdose, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Background and Controversy
Peters rose to popularity in 2025, amassing nearly one million followers on TikTok and over 300,000 subscribers on Kick. He popularized 'looksmaxxing,' a trend promoting fitness, medications, and grooming to improve physical appearance. According to ABC 11, Peters allegedly promoted the use of methamphetamines for weight loss and intentionally breaking bones to improve facial structure. He has faced heavy criticism from medical professionals for his 'dangerous' methodology.
The Daily Mail contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, and representation for Morales for comment.
