Influencer Investigated for Shooting Alligator in Everglades

A 20-year-old social media influencer known as Clavicular fired multiple rounds from a handgun at an alligator in the Florida Everglades during a livestream on Thursday, prompting an investigation by state wildlife officials.

Braden Eric Peters, who uses the online handle Clavicular, was aboard an airboat with friends, including fellow streamer Andrew Mora, when they encountered the alligator floating motionless among lily pads. In the video captured on Peters' Kick stream, he questioned whether the animal was dead before suggesting they shoot it to confirm. "Is it dead? So can we shoot it? We have to test if it's dead," Peters said, while adjusting his hair in the phone's camera. Mora, appearing eager, remarked that he just wanted to shoot something. The airboat driver responded, "You can pretty much do whatever." Without further hesitation, the pair discharged more than 25 bullets into the alligator from close range.

The incident occurred on March 26 in the Everglades, a vast wetland ecosystem in South Florida. Florida law prohibits harassing or killing alligators outside of regulated hunting seasons, which require specific permits issued during the summer months. Unauthorized...