A South Carolina “good Samaritan” who shot and killed a man who was drowning won’t face criminal charges, authorities said.
Prosecutors claimed the unidentified gunman, 74, acted in self-defense when he fatally shot Nathan Drew Morgan, 29, who was drowning Tuesday in Lake Keowee, WBTW-TV reported.
The Drowning Incident Reportedly Occurred After Morgan and a Friend Fell From a Jet Ski Without Life Jackets.
Morgan had been riding a jet ski with a friend when both took a tumble from the vehicle into the water, authorities said. Neither of them wore life jackets.
Following the fall into the water, the would-be gunman, who was captaining a pontoon boat, tried to assist the two by helping them out of the water. The unmanned jet ski was still turning circles in the lake when the boater arrived. Things did not go as planned.
Morgan became combative after being pulled onto the pontoon boat, allegedly assaulting the boater and his female companion. Then, the boater pushed back into the water. When Morgan tried to get back onto the boat, the gunman opened fire, police said.
Morgan was fatally shot in the chest, the Oconee County Coroner’s Office ruled.
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“Certainly have never seen anything like that or heard anything like that,” area resident Brandon Thomas told WSPA-TV following the shooting.
“That’s very surprising, especially the area it was in,” he added. “That’s crazy. Definitely unexpected out here, for sure.”
Morgan is survived by his 10-year-old son.
Since prosecutors decided against pressing charges against the gunman, local residents have voiced criticism.
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“This Amazing man had a son who lost his Best friend & Drew’s parents will never see their son again,” a person named Kesslin Cole wrote on social media. “Many people throughout the community lost a very special friend.”
“This is all we get,” the also wrote. “You call this JUSTICE. This is far from that.”
What a tragic incident for all parties involved. This unusual case leaves many wanting answers. A reminder: life jackets are life-saving and can prevent drowning. Always wear them when you are on the water. This entire tragedy could have been avoided had Morgan been wearing one at the time of the accident.