A South Carolina man accused of shooting and killing a Jet Skier he initially tried to rescue will not face any charges in the case.
The shooting happened March 15 on Lake Keowee in Salem, about 145 miles northwest of Columbia.
According to the Oconee County Sheriff's Office, a couple on a pontoon boat noticed a man and a woman were in distress in the water after being knocked off a Jet Ski.
The couple drove the boat over to the man and the woman, who were not wearing life jackets, and pulled them both from the water, police said. Meantime, the Jet Ski continued running and was doing circles in the lake.
The man who had been rescued, later identified as Nathan Drew Morgan, became agitated because he wanted to get back to the Jet Ski, and started assaulting the couple on the boat, police said.
"The female, who was on the Jet Ski, attempted to deescalate the assault by pushing [Morgan] back in the water," police said in a statement.
The couple assisted getting Morgan back on the boat a second time, but then there was another "encounter," police said.
"After a second encounter, the man on the pontoon shot [Morgan] fearing for his and his wife's life while being assaulted," police said,
Morgan died on the boat.
After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors determined it was a case of self-defense.
"Based upon evidence that was presented, 10th Circuit Solicitor David Wagner has determined that the shooting was in self-defense and no charges will be filed," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
Police said all parties have been notified of the decision not to move forward with charges. They also asked for continued prayer for Morgan's family.
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