Teen says homeowner attacked him while he fished at pond

PALM BAY, Fla. – A Florida man angry that a teenager was fishing in a pond near his home allegedly grabbed the boy around his neck and hit his knee, causing the teen to fall to the ground, according to the Palm Bay Police Department. 

The man then threw the boy’s fishing pole into the pond, the report said.

What we know:

The alleged incident happened around 6 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2025 in the area of Brookside At Bayside Lakes in Palm Bay.

The 15-year-old told police and FOX 35 that he was fishing with friends – an activity that he loves to do.

Wesley Boyd, 46, is accused of attacking a boy while fishing in Palm Bay on Nov. 24. 

While fishing, a man, later identified as Wesley Boyd, 46, allegedly came out of his home nearby and told the boy to leave. As the boy was walking away, Boyd allegedly grabbed the boy around his neck, hit his knee, then tossed his fishing pole into the water.

Several other kids witnessed the incident and told the officer a similar account of what happened. 

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The other side:

Boyd told officers the boy was fishing behind his home. He said after he told the boy to leave, the kid walked a few feet down and recast a fishing line, the report said.

Boyd admitted to the officer that he reached behind the kid, grabbed his fishing pole and threw it in the water. 

He said the kid slipped and fell, according to the report. 

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The police department said it determined that Boyd was the primary aggressor. He was arrested and booked into jail on one count of child abuse without violence.

Police also determined that the boy was not on the man’s property.

The Source: Information in this story was gathered from the Palm Bay Police Department. 

Crime and Public SafetyBrevard County NewsPalm Bay