Dotson said Morgan tried to take over the boat, pushing his wife out of the way, prompting him to fetch his gun and slip it into his waistband. Ayers told DailyMail.com that she noticed en route that Morgan, father to a ten-year-old boy, was slurring his words and she was concerned enough that she drove the last leg of the journey. We dont think there was any malice. There is no danger to the public. Sheriff Mike Crenshaw confirmed reports that deputies were on the scene at around 8:00 pm last night searching for a black male who they believe was related to the incident that left someone with an injured ankle. The Journal circulation department is actively working through issues on some paper routes due to carrier hiccups in the last few days. Once on the pontoon boat, Morgan became agitated and beganassaulting the pontoon boatcouple, they told deputies. 'He was calling him a bi**h, a pu**y boy, saying he would knock him between his eyes. The Sheriff's Office is also able today to release some further information in regards to the incident. Box 1251, 103 Ram Cat Alley, A 29-year old Walhalla man was shot on Lake Keowee and died around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Oconee County Coroner's Office. Updated: 5:01 PM EDT Mar 18, 2022. But shaken Ayers defended Dotson in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, saying he was forced to open fire when Morgan repeatedly attacked him and his wife. ', Ayers told DailyMail.com that she noticed en route that Morgan, father to a ten year old boy (pictured together), was slurring his words and she was concerned enough that she drove the last leg of the journey, Morgan, a resident of Walhalla, is survived by his son, according to his obituary. She said Debra was on the phone to a 911 operator at this point, pleading with police to find them as they 'didn't want to hurt' Morgan. The Put Down The Guns Young People. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. He told them he witnessed Morgan tossing the Dotsons' fishing rods into the water and attacking them 'multiple times'. 'There was two warning shots in the air. This was a tragic loss for the Smith family and it became even more heartbreaking when we learned that he was shot by an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old, Sheriff Crenshaw said. No charges will be filed after a man was shot and killed on a pontoon boat in an Upstate lake, according to the Oconee County . Dotson's gun was legally owned and he had no known criminal history. Deputies with the Uniform Patrol Division, the Criminal Investigations Division and the Special Operations Division (which includes the Marine Unit) were dispatched to the scene. And then I heard his last two breaths,' she told DailyMail.com. Jump to. The couple on the boat told authorities Morgan became agitated once he got on board and started assaulting them. The Walhalla Performing Arts Center at the Historic Walhalla Civic Auditorium, (originally built in 1903, with the auditorium being added in 1913) strives to provide a world-class facility for performances, conferences & special events in order to enhance the cultural & social life of the Mountain Lakes Region in Upstate South Carolina. Want To Shoot Your Shotgun Better? WALHALLA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Deputies said a suspect is in custody after a shooting near Horseshoe Lane on April 8, according to the Oconee County Sheriff's Office. Morgan, a Walhalla resident, was shot aboard a pontoon boat on Lake Keowee. With businesses, Do you remember the excitement you felt the first time you went shooting? And then this pontoon comes up on us and they pull me up on the boat.'. A statement from the Oconee County Sheriff's Office says 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor David Wagner ruled that the Tuesday shooting of 29-year-old Nathan Drew Morgan by an unnamed 74-year-old. , S.C. . Pictured: Vape pods and drug paraphernalia found in Morgan's car, Moment woman is crushed by two stampeding horses at Grand National, Just Stop Oil protester jumps on World Championship snooker table, Moment eco-zealot is escorted out of Crucible after dramatic protest, Quiche Le Reign! Alligators just want to have fun: Florida images may show predators at play, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Last Tuesday's killing on serene Lake Keowee in Salem, South Carolina was investigated for 48 hours before Oconee County officials declared it 'self-defense' and cleared Dotson, a Vietnam veteran. The popular .22 offers almost no recoil, so its easy, Choosing a list of top 10 favorite deer hunting cartridges is no easy task, particularly since there are so many suitable cartridges that could make, The handgun is the toughest of the three primary firearms to master. Read More >>>. 'He threatened to leave me at the island. 'He just had to shoot him, please hurry,' Debra told the operator. Learning to turn off your brain to stop thinking about the shot will help you break more targets. (Walhalla, SC)-The Oconee County Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation into a shooting that occurred yesterday afternoon on Lake Keowee in Salem. (Walhalla, SC)-----An investigation is continuing today in relation to a shooting that occurred late Tuesday evening in the Holly Springs Community of Oconee County. He will be my hero for life because, if it wasn't for him, I would have drowned in the water that day.'. The woman who rode the Jet Ski pushed her companion into the lake, off of the pontoon boat, in an attempt to diffuse the situation, according to the deputies. If he was hurting them so bad, why didn't they have any wounds? Morgan's estranged wife Joy Morgan, 36, told DailyMail.com her ex smoked cannabis regularly but was accustomed to its effects. Most, especially those of carbine. The comments below have not been moderated. After a consultation with the Solicitors Office, and based on the evidence obtained in our ongoing investigation, we believe that both juvenile males discharged a firearm in a reckless manner in the direction of Mr. Smith who was bush hogging on some family property, says Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. The pair climbed back on the jet ski but Ayers said she was soon thrown off again so violently that it knocked the breath out of her. Police are seen responding after Morgan was shot dead on Lake Keowee. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Smith family. 'Drew was my friend and I will mourn him as my friend. The two men could be heard struggling in the background before a shot rang out, according to the report. Learning the rules of gun safety is also, There are many reasons why shooting is such an addictive pastime, not the least of which is the level of difficulty involved balanced against the, I lay prone behind the trigger of one of my favorite target rifles, a Savage Model 116 in 6.5-284 Norma, during day two of the SAAM, Americans across the country are being asked to practice social distancing in order to flatten the curve of the coronavirus outbreak. Organization educate children and teens to. The young waitress said she didn't see Morgan drink or take anything however cops later found beer and suspected marijuana in his truck. Morgan died on the boat from a gunshot wound to the chest, the Oconee county coroners office said. Ayers says Morgan got in touch on Monday March 14 inviting her to go jet skiing on Lake Keowee, an 18,500-acre reservoir near the state's northwest border with North Carolina and Georgia. Yesterday, the Sheriffs Office announced that 18 year old Gavin Lamar Tukes of N. Spring Street in Westminster was taken in custody on charges of Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime, First Degree Burglary and Petit Larceny. 'He was aggressive from the moment he set foot on that boat. Sheriff Mike Crenshaw confirmed reports that deputies were on the scene at around 8:00 pm last night searching for a black male who they believe was related to the incident that left someone with an injured ankle. Updated: Oct 20, 2022 / 07:46 AM EDT. According to a Sheriffs Office release from last Thursday, deputies responded to 1490 Coffee Road on Wednesday evening of last week after Smiths wife went to the property looking for her husband after not being able to make contact with him. Oconee County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military status, or protected veteran status. ', Ayers said she had never met Dotson or his wife of 53 years, Debra (pictured), before they helped her aboard and wrapped her in a blanket. Walhalla's premier wine and craft beer bar offering a varied and changing selection of wines as well as specialty beers. All rights reserved. Seneca, SC 29679 South Carolina officials said they would not file charges against a boater who helped rescue a man from the water, then shot him dead. He was begging him, please stop, I don't want to hurt you. He declined to speak with DailyMail.com when reached on the phone, saying: 'Do not call me again'. Is there a place that we should know about? The deputy attempted a traffic stop, however, the driver of the Honda did not pull over and a pursuit began, which concluded near the area of S. Depot Street and Fairfield Drive in Seneca. There may be significant delays in our coverage area - particularly in southern Seneca, Townville and Westminster. 'He struggles with the old man so hard that he breaks the ignition so the boat can't go anywhere. The Sheriff's Office has charged 47 year old Nathan Fred McCall, with one count of Attempted Murder. Morgan, a Walhalla resident, was shot aboard a pontoon boat on Lake Keowee. 'I think the community also needs to pray for this 74-year-old man and his wife who were just out on the lake, on their boat, saw some folks in distress and went to offer aid. Rifles and shotguns are fired from the shoulder, which provides a more stable, The term handgun covers a lot of ground, from easy-to-conceal pocket pistols to specialty single-shots designed for hunting big game., If you are a new handgun owner, its important that you seek some training in the basics of shooting. This articles subheading was amended on 22 March 2022 to correct the age of the unnamed shooter from 79 to 74. None of this makes any sense to me,' she said. Next thing I turn around and he's got both of them. What happened next is perhaps the most perplexing part of the deadly encounter for Morgan's loved ones. Officials in South Carolina ruled shooting of Nathan Drew, 29, by unnamed 74-year-old was act of self-defense. GoogleMap of Shooting Range location Range Type: Outdoor Shooting Ranges Available: 1 Pistol: yes Rifle: yes Access: Open to the Public March 21, 2022 / 6:42 AM Morgan, a Walhalla resident, was shot aboard a pontoon boat on Lake Keowee. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to Drew's family and we continue to pray for them,' Sheriff Crenshaw added. Accessibility Help. OCONEE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Oconee County Sheriff's Office announced that no charges will be filed in the shooting . 'The jet ski is going in circles in the middle of the lake and Drew is swimming after it. complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination in places where Oconee County operates. The two had no life jackets and the Jet Ski was circling. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 25 were here. 'Drew didn't have a mean bone in his body. Earlier this morning, a Uniform Patrol Bureau deputy saw the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of a business on Wells Highway. Nathan Drew Morgan, who was on the Jet Ski,was pronounced dead after a gunshot injury to the chest, according to the Oconee County Coroner's Office. range located in the Walhalla/Sumter National Forest near Walhalla, SC. Taste of celebration cooked up in Buckingham Palace, Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch seen leaving court after not guilty verdict, Leaked video shows Sturgeon knocking back financial concerns of SNP, Republic Campaign's Trailer: 'The man who shouldn't be King', Scene outside SNP treasurer Colin Beattie's house following arrest, Indian man presents Apple CEO with an old Macintosh, Coronation rehearsal sees military parade through London streets. Deputies were also notified that Kristopher was in operation of a stolen vehicle, a black Honda, which was taken from the city of Seneca. Deputies responded to the scene and located Smith slumped over the steering wheel, unresponsive, on a tractor that was still running but had gone down an embankment striking a tree. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Oconee County Coroners Office have also responded to the scene. An incident report obtained by DailyMail.com reveals that investigators collected video from the resident of a lake-front home who saw '95 percent' of the fatal encounter. 'I'm in a hoodie, I could feel myself sinking, I was freaking out, hyperventilating. The couple on the boat told authorities Morgan "became agitated and began assaulting" them. you know theyre going to be obviously held accountable for their actions, as well., Copyright 2020 | Breaking911 All rights reserved. You can also leave a tip with Crimestoppers, where you dont have to give your name, online at. Maybe they thought it had smacked some sense into him but it was automatically the same thing,' Ayers recalled. 2022-03-17. The investigation is in its early stages and the Oconee County Sheriffs Office will release more information at a later time. As the struggle continued she noticed Dotson brandishing a gun for the first time before using it to pistol-whip Morgan. If any new evidence emerges he said he would be happy to investigate further. First published on March 21, 2022 / 6:42 AM. OCONEE COUNTY, SC 6 DAYS AGO 106.3 WORD She says the pair had hung out the previous summer as friends and were not romantically involved. 'I yelled at him to let go. 'I'm not saying the two are connected. Its not all that, When it comes to long-range shooting at big game animals like deer and elk, the best advice is dont do it. This competition allows competitors to test their marksmanship, . 'He was choking the old man out and the old man took the bottom of the gun and was trying to hit him away with it,' she said. If you have any information on the whereabouts of 34 year old Kristopher Lamar Jenkins of Walhalla, you are asked to call 911 immediately. Investigators were told he may have wanted to get back on the Jet Ski. Oconee County Probate Court-SC. Sheriff Mike Crenshaw told The Journal of Seneca that Morgan may have been intoxicated. A search of Morgan's GMC truck revealed empty cans of Michelob Ultra beer, drug paraphernalia including grinders, bongs and a 'cigarillo package containing a green leafy substance rolled into a blunt consistent with marijuana.'. dealers, Scopes are a fixture on todays rifles and one primary factor in how they will perform is how well they are installed. The victim was transported to the hospital by paramedics to continue to receive treatment for his injury. Sheriff Mike Crenshaw told the Journal of Seneca that Morgan may have been intoxicated. more. Ski resorts, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and WALHALLA, S.C. (WSPA) The United States Attorney's Office District of South Carolina said that a South Carolina man was arrested on felony charges for his actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. They also believe there may have been an argument between Morgan and the woman he was with before they fell into the water. Three of the shooting stations are covered. Range_Safety_and_Etiquette_2017 from NSSF on Vimeo. British Airways' onboard safety video stars Emma Raducanu, Medics rush to save Jeremy Renner's life after snow plow accident, Hilarious moment bear spooks NC man relaxing on his sun lounger, Phillip returns to This Morning after brother's sex abuse trial, Football fan punched and kicked unconscious as rival hooligans brawl, Chinese acrobat falls to her death during a performance in Suzhou, Watch as men engage in bareknuckle brawls in front of screaming crowds, Andrew Tate's lawyer says the brothers are struggling after jail time, Russia's Ministry's video claims soldiers killed British fighters, Delivery man helps police catch suspect by tripping him over, Goldberg mocks critics of Dylan Mulvaney's Bud Light campaign, Police share updates on the fatal shooting of Kaylin Gillis, Nathan Drew Morgan, 29 (left) was shot dead on Lake Keowee in South Carolina last week by John Dotson, 74, (right) who rescued him and friend Hannah Ayers, 19, after they tumbled off their jet ski without life jackets, Crime scene photos obtained by DailyMail.com show the aftermath of the altercation that resulted in Morgan being shot dead on Dotson's pontoon boat, After Ayers and Morgan were rescued and hauled onto the boat, Morgan made a grab for the boat's controls, resulting in a grappling match with Dotson. Nestled in the shadows of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, and cradled by the cool waters . They did not want Drew to die. 'The woman was trying to give him CPR, she was holding his head, she was crying over him. Get the StepOutside Newsletter specially curated by Outdoor experts. Cedar Creek Shooting Range is located in Oconee County on the Sumter National Forest. But, we also got to pray for these boys. Pictured: The bloody scene on the boat following the shooting, Officials have confirmed Dotson, Vietnam veteran, will not face charges, declaring his actions, 'self-defense', The two friends were jet skiing together when Morgan began speeding and lost control, flipping the jet ski (pictured) in chest-deep water, prompting an argument, Ayers said. Stages and the woman he was with before they fell into the water breaths, ' Ayers.. Walhalla resident, was shot aboard a pontoon boat on Lake Keowee 36, told.... 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