Guardian angels in a pontoon boat rescued a couple who were thrown from a rogue Jet Ski on Lake Keowee in western South Carolina. As frequently happens, no good deed goes unpunished as the male half of the couple, already agitated at losing control of his personal watercraft, turned his aggression on the pontoon boat owners and assaulted them.
One thing led to another and, fearing for his life and that of his wife, the good Samaritan boat captain shot Nathan Morgan, 29, (not pictured above) once in the chest, killing him dead right there.
MSN News has the story:
A South Carolina man was fatally shot by a boater after he was rescued and allegedly became aggressive.
Nathan Drew Morgan, 29, and an unnamed woman were thrown off their Jet Ski at Lake Keowee on Tuesday afternoon and investigators believe the pair may have been arguing before the incident.
A man and woman on a pontoon boat nearby observed Morgan and the unnamed woman struggling in the water. Neither individual wore life jackets and both showed signs of distress in the water, according to police.
According to police, the couple on the boat approached Morgan and the woman and the two got on board as the unmanned Jet Ski continued to circle the lake. After boarding the boat, Morgan allegedly became “agitated” and began assaulting the couple that rescued him.
The story doesn’t mention if alcohol was involved. Mr. Morgan hailed from South Carolina, not the Sunshine State, so he can’t claim Florida Man status.
The surviving parties are talking with the police. “Cooperating” in the lingo of the press. Cops believe the couple on the Jet Ski were arguing before Mr. Morgan lost control of the craft, dumping the couple in the drink. Of course, they were operating sans life jackets or a kill switch lanyard.
Either way, nothing says “Thank you for saving my ass,” like assaulting someone who just pulled you from distress in the water.
Oconee County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched just after 2 p.m. to reports of a shooting, according to police. Officials with the Criminal Investigations Division and Special Operations Division, including the Marine Unit, were also called to the scene.
The investigation is ongoing and all parties involved are cooperating, police said.
The 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office is meeting with investigators this week to determine whether probable cause exists for criminal charges or if this was a case of self-defense.
South Carolina is a “stand your ground” state, even though there’s not a lot of opportunity to retreat on your average pontoon boat. And as the BBC reports, the boat owner won’t be charged . . .
…Oconee County Sheriff’s department said prosecutors had determined the shooting took place in self-defence.
In a short statement, officials said 10th Circuit Solicitor David Wagner made the decision after meeting with investigators and asked “for continued prayer for the family of Nathan Drew Morgan”.