A Florida man’s rage over boat wake escalated into armed threats against children, exposing the dangerous intersection of unchecked anger and firearm access in public spaces.
Story Snapshot
- Christopher Evensen, 43, threatened to shoot juveniles and “watch them bleed out” over boat wake dispute
- Incident occurred at New Smyrna Beach public boat ramp on October 4, 2025
- Video evidence captured by witness led to aggravated assault charges
- Suspect denied having gun despite multiple witness statements and video proof
Armed Threats Over Minor Boating Dispute
Christopher Evensen transformed a routine boating disagreement into a terrifying encounter when he allegedly pointed a firearm at several juveniles on October 4, 2025, at West Boat Ramps in New Smyrna Beach. The 43-year-old suspect became enraged after the young boaters created a wake near his vessel, leading him to brandish a weapon and deliver the chilling threat that he would “watch them bleed out.” This extreme escalation demonstrates how quickly minor conflicts can spiral into life-threatening situations when firearms enter the equation.
Video Evidence Contradicts Suspect’s Denial
Despite Evensen’s claims to police that he never possessed a weapon, juvenile witnesses provided compelling video evidence that directly contradicted his statements. The footage, along with multiple witness testimonies, painted a clear picture of an adult male threatening minors with deadly force over a trivial boating etiquette violation. New Smyrna Beach Police and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office investigators found the evidence overwhelming, leading to Evensen’s arrest on charges of aggravated assault and improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon.
Pattern of Escalating Aggression Emerges
The gun-pointing incident represented the culmination of Evensen’s deteriorating behavior throughout the day at the boat ramp. Earlier, he had engaged in an unrelated verbal altercation with another adult, during which he reportedly offered whiskey, suggesting possible alcohol involvement in his increasingly aggressive conduct. This progression from verbal disputes to armed threats against children illustrates a dangerous pattern of escalation that law enforcement experts recognize as particularly concerning when firearms are readily accessible.
Swift Justice Protects Community Safety
Law enforcement’s rapid response prevented what could have become a tragic situation involving armed violence against minors. Police located and arrested Evensen the same day, demonstrating that threatening children with firearms carries immediate and serious consequences under Florida law. The case highlights the importance of witness cooperation and video documentation in holding dangerous individuals accountable. Evensen remains in Volusia County jail, facing charges that reflect the severity of pointing weapons at innocent young people over trivial disagreements.
Sources:
Florida Man Waves Gun at Kids on Water for Causing Wake, Tells Them He’ll ‘Watch Them Bleed Out’
Man arrested after pulling gun kids new smyrna beach after allegedly created wake near his boat
