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Influencer faces wildlife charges in Florida
Braden Eric Peters, known online as Clavicular, was charged on Wednesday with unlawfully firing a weapon at a wildlife sanctuary in southern Florida. The incident occurred during a livestream on 26 March, authorities said.
What happened during the livestream
Court documents indicate Peters and two other men were on an airboat in the Everglades Wildlife Management Area, west of Miami, when gunshots were allegedly fired into swamp water. The footage appeared to show multiple discharges, though it remains unclear whether an alligator was struck.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission acknowledged the video hours after it aired, stating it depicted individuals discharging firearms in the Everglades. The agency did not confirm whether the clip in question belonged to Peters.
Legal consequences and prior incidents
Peters, 20, faces up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine (£735) if convicted under Florida law for illegally discharging a firearm in public. He was arrested separately in March on battery charges after allegedly instigating and broadcasting a physical altercation between two women.
His legal team told U.S. media that Peters was "following the instructions of a licensed airboat guide" and that "no animals or people were harmed" during the incident. The BBC has reached out to his lawyer for further comment but has not received a response.
Controversial online persona
Peters, who amasses millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, and the streaming platform Kick, is known for his "looksmaxxing" content. His extreme methods-ranging from steroid use to striking his face with a hammer-have drawn criticism from medical experts. He refers to the most aggressive techniques as "hardmaxxing," which professionals warn lack scientific backing and pose serious health risks.
YouTube previously terminated two of his channels following the battery charges. Last month, Peters was hospitalized after collapsing during a livestream at a Miami nightclub.
Next steps
Court records show the charges against Peters and the two other men were filed on 29 March. No trial date has been set. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues its investigation into the alleged shooting.
