Man, 74, 'shoots dead' jet skier after saving him and his girlfriend from lake

A boatman shot dead a jet skier he had rescued from the water after he got into difficulty when he became aggressive, it is alleged.

The 74-year-old, who was on the boat with his wife, claimed he was forced to use his gun to protect themselves when Nathan Drew Morgan started to attack him.

The shooting happened after he had saved the man and his girlfriend on Lake Keowee, in South Carolina, on March 15.

A police statement said that neither Morgan or his girlfriend had been wearing life jackets and the jet-ski “continued running and was doing circles in the lake” while the two were in the water.

The Oconee County Sheriff Office stated that the two on the boat went over and rescued the pair but then Morgan became “agitated and began assaulting the couple on the pontoon”.

Following an investigation it was decided that the man, whose name has not been published, acted in self defence.

Morgan, 29, is alleged to have become aggressive (Facebook)

A police statement said: “A shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon on a pontoon boat on Lake Keowee has been ruled as a case of self-defence.

“Investigators met the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office yesterday to present the evidence and information obtained in the case. Based upon evidence that was presented, 10th Circuit Solicitor David Wagner has determined that the shooting was in self-defence and no charges will be filed.

“According to Investigators, all parties have been notified of the decision not to file charges in the case.

“The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for continued prayer for the family of Nathan Drew Morgan, who is the deceased as a result of the shooting.”

Investigators were told that the man may have wanted to get back to the Jet Ski and his girlfriend had pushed him back in the water to try and calm down the situation.

Morgan and his girlfriend were rescued after falling off their jet ski (Facebook)

But when the couple had helped Morgan onto the boat for a second time and he continued to be aggressive, the man shot him dead “fearing for his life and his wife’s life”.

Police were also told that Morgan and his girlfriend may have been arguing before they fell in the water.

Morgan, from nearby Walhalla, died from gunshot wounds to the chest, it is reported, less than a week before the birthday of his 10-year-old son.

Sheriff Mike Crenshaw told The Journal of Seneca that Morgan may have been intoxicated.

Morgan’s obituary describes him as a man who enjoyed “being on the water, fishing, sitting around a campfire, and playing basketball.”