Mother Demands Accountability After Son’s Fishing Threat Incident

A South Austin mother is advocating for accountability after a disturbing incident involving her 14-year-old son at a local fishing spot went viral on social media. On October 22, 2023, Victoria Retana’s son was fishing at the pond in Sullivan Park when he encountered a man who allegedly threatened him during the exchange.

Retana shared that her son is passionate about fishing, stating, “He lives and breathes it. It’s everything to him.” Fishing is not just a hobby for him; it is an integral part of his daily routine. However, that routine escalated into a troubling confrontation. As her son filmed the encounter, the man questioned whether he possessed a fishing license. According to Retana, her son informed the man that he did not need a license, as minors under 17 years old are exempt from this requirement in Texas. This was confirmed by officials from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, who noted that minors can fish in public waters without a license.

Things quickly took a hostile turn. In the viral video, the man can be heard calling the boy an “idiot” and making threats such as “I’ll punch your lights out so hard” and “I’ll drown you.” Retana expressed her outrage, saying, “I’m really just unbelievably mad and just so shocked, hurt that someone would think it’s OK to say that to anyone, much less a child, and especially for fishing.” The video has sparked significant outrage online, garnering over a thousand comments from concerned viewers.

Following the incident, Retana filed a police report. However, the Austin Police Department indicated that pursuing charges may not be straightforward. Corporal Jose Mendez explained that detectives reviewed the footage and concluded that it did not constitute a terroristic threat, which is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Instead, they found it more aligned with an assault by threat, a Class C misdemeanor.

Mendez clarified the distinction between the two offenses, stating that both involve threats that induce fear, but differ in terms of imminent danger. He noted that while the man threatened to drown the boy, he did not approach him during the incident. Moreover, the phrase “If you come here again” contributed to the decision not to classify the case as a more serious charge. Mendez stated, “It’s really hard to place an imminent danger to an individual” based on the available evidence. As a result, the matter has been referred to municipal courts for further consideration.

Retana emphasizes that her family is seeking accountability, but they also hope this incident raises awareness about safety and kindness within the community. “My son was just doing a wholesome activity. He’s just fishing. Nobody deserves to be threatened by death for fishing,” she stated. The case is currently under investigation by the county attorney’s office, which has been contacted for further updates.

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining a safe environment for children engaging in recreational activities. The community’s response underscores a collective demand for civility and respect, particularly in public spaces.