In a shocking incident that unfolded on the Montgomery Riverfront in Alabama, three boaters have been charged with third-degree assault after launching a WWE-style attack on the co-captain of a riverboat. The incident, which was caught on camera and quickly went viral over the weekend, occurred when Harriott II Riverboat Co-Captain Damien Pickett was viciously assaulted by private boat owners as he attempted 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 are now facing misdemeanor charges for escaping riot and hate crimes, as the attackers are white and the victim, Pickett, is black. While one of the men has turned themselves in to the Selma Police Department, the other two individuals are reportedly on their way to do so, according to Montgomery Police Chief Darryl J. Albert.

Chief Albert revealed that the Montgomery Police Department collaborated with the FBI to determine the appropriate charges, ultimately concluding that there was not sufficient evidence to pursue more severe charges against the three assailants.

The incident unfolded after the Harriott had been attempting to dock for nearly 45 minutes. The boat's captain had used the vessel's PA system in an effort to communicate with the private boat owners, but his attempts were met with hostility, including "obscene gestures" and "curse words."

The situation escalated when Pickett, accompanied by a 16-year-old male employee, bravely intervened to push the private boat away and create enough space for the Harriott to safely dock. However, chaos erupted as multiple men launched an aggressive attack on Pickett, with one particularly alarming moment captured on video showing a man brandishing a folding chair during the assault. Police have identified this individual as Reggie Gray, 42, and are actively seeking to speak with him.

Following the altercation, Pickett was the only person who required medical attention. The incident has since sparked a heated debate on social media, with many commending the bravery of the 16-year-old boy, who has been affectionately labeled “Black Aquaman” for his swift actions in jumping into the river and swimming to Pickett's aid.

Makina Lashea, a representative for the boy's family, expressed immense pride in his heroic actions and thanked everyone for the outpouring of support they have received.

Jim Kittrell, the captain of the riverboat, strongly believes that racism was at the core of the attack. He stated that the assailants targeted Pickett for no reason other than racially motivated ones. However, Kittrell was quick to clarify that the subsequent brawl between the two groups was not racially motivated but rather a response from Pickett's shipmates to protect their colleague.

In response to the incident, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed swiftly condemned the violence and reassured the public that warrants are being signed and justice will be served. The investigation is still ongoing, with law enforcement officials meticulously reviewing footage of the fight in order to identify any additional participants.

This alarming incident has sparked a broader conversation within the community about the issues of violence and racism. Local leaders have been emphasizing the urgent need for unity, tolerance, and understanding among residents. The incident serves as a stark reminder that more work needs to be done to address deep-rooted prejudices and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals within the community.