Florida man charged with allegedly beating shark with hammer

Authorities said Tuesday that a Florida man who allegedly beat a shark with a hammer last year before releasing it back into the ocean will face charges.

Brian Waddill is charged with violating restrictions on the possession of prohibited species, failing to return prohibited species unharmed, violating a ban on harvesting and landing or selling sharks, all offenses, the state attorney’s office said.

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The subpoena was issued after prosecutors reviewed an investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The December 20 incident took place at Bicentennial Beach Park in Indian Harbor Beach and was caught on video.

“Two (2) males caught the shark while fishing from the shore, pulled the shark ashore, hit the shark on the head with a mallet, and then dragged the shark back into the water and released it,” Indian Harbor Beach police said. This is stated in the message of the department on Facebook.

The shark is believed to have been the lemon shark, which is among the 28 protected sharks in the state of Florida, according to Fox Orlando. The investigator noted that the man said he was fishing and caught a shark. He allegedly admitted to hitting the shark and releasing it back into the water.

FILE – A shark swims towards a group of divers during a shark dive off Jupiter, Florida, February 11, 2022. Florida Shark Diving invites shark fans and ocean lovers to see sharks up close, with or without a cage, on a regular basis, helping to fund a growing shark tourism industry and educating people about dangerous marine life. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images))

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The investigator could not find the shark.