FLORENCE, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State Police say an 81-year-old property owner is accused of firing his shotgun twice at an aluminum drift boat that two Siuslaw River boaters had pulled from the river at his dock after they experienced boat trouble.
Lt. Gregg Hastings says the men rowed to the dock east of Florence and secured their boat on Monday afternoon. One man stayed with the boat while the other went to get their vehicle and trailer. They loaded the boat and were getting ready to leave when the property owner arrived on his boat.
They say he told them not to leave, went into his home and returned with a shotgun, firing one shot that penetrated their boat’s hull. Hastings says the men report they started driving off as he was reloading. They say a second round hit the boat’s engine.
State police arrested Elden Nordahl for investigation of menacing, reckless endangering, unlawful use of a weapon and pointing a firearm at a person.
