Charges formally filed in Brevard County shark beating caught on camera

Brian Waddill faces two misdemeanors

Video from Harbour House in Indian Harbour Beach shows a shark being beaten with a hammer. (Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

ORLANDO, Fla. – A man is now facing criminal charges, accused of beating a shark with a hammer in Indian Harbour Beach last December.

The state attorney’s office filed formal charges against Brian Waddill, 33, last week.

Recommended Videos



Waddill is facing a charge of violating restrictions on possession of prohibited species, failure to return it unharmed, and a charge of violating the prohibition against harvesting of sharks, which are second-degree misdemeanors.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Indian Harbour Beach police say Waddill caught a lemon shark on Dec. 20 at Bicentennial Beach Park.

[TRENDING: DeSantis ‘review’ of public records can add months of delays, newly uncovered log reveals | Car goes off Florida bridge in fatal crash with Road Ranger, FHP says | Affidavit offers new details in shootings of Orlando TV news crew, 9-year-old girl and her mother | Become a News 6 Insider]

Video shows a man, presumed to be Waddill, hitting the shark in the head with a hammer repeatedly. The shark was then dragged back into the ocean.

It’s not known yet what punishment the charges against Waddill will carry.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:


About the Author:

Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021.

Recommended Videos