In a shocking incident that took place on the Montgomery Riverfront in Alabama, three boaters have been charged with third-degree assault after a WWE-style attack on the co-captain of a riverboat. The incident, which was captured on video and went viral over the weekend, occurred when Harriott II Riverboat Co-Captain Damien Pickett was attacked by private boat owners as he tried to push their vessel a safe distance away to allow his larger vessel to dock.

The three men involved in the attack have been identified as Richard Roberts, 48, Allen Todd, 23, and Zachary Shipman, 25. They have been charged with a misdemeanor, escaping riot, and hate-crime charges, as the men are white and the crew member is black. While one of the men has turned themselves into the Selma Police Department, the other two are on their way to do so, according to Montgomery Police Chief Darryl J. Albert.

Chief Albert stated that the Montgomery Police Department worked with the FBI to determine the charges and concluded that there was not enough evidence to charge the three men with more than assault. He revealed that the Harriott had been trying to park for up to 45 minutes before the incident occurred. The boat's captain had attempted to contact the boat owners over the vessel's PA system, but was met with "obscene gestures" and "curse words."

The situation escalated when Pickett, accompanied by a 16-year-old male employee, tried to push the private boat to give the Harriott enough space to safely dock. Chaos broke out as several men attacked Pickett, with one man lunging towards him and others joining in the assault. In one video, a man can be seen wielding a folding chair during the attack. Police have identified him as Reggie Gray, 42, and are requesting to speak with him.

Pickett was the only person who sought medical attention after the fight was broken up. The incident has sparked a debate on social media, with many praising the bravery of the 16-year-old boy, who has been dubbed “Black Aquaman” for his swift action in jumping into the river and swimming to help Pickett. Makina Lashea, a representative for the boy's family, expressed pride in his actions and the support they have received.

The captain of the riverboat, Jim Kittrell, believes that racism was at the heart of the attack. He stated that the men who attacked Pickett did so for no reason other than racially motivated ones. However, Kittrell clarified that the subsequent brawl between the two groups was not racially motivated but rather a response from Pickett's shipmates to protect their colleague.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed condemned the violence and assured the public that warrants are being signed and justice will be served. The investigation is ongoing, and police are reviewing footage of the fight to identify additional participants. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about violence and racism in the community, with local leaders emphasizing the need for unity and tolerance.