81-year-old Man Arrested after Shooting at Boat, Fishermen on Oregon Coast
Police said two men had boat trouble as they were in the Siuslaw River, and rowed to a dock where they secured their aluminum drift boat.
(FLORENCE, Ore. ) — An 81-year-old man from Florence has been arrested after he fired a shotgun at two fishermen, and their boat along the Oregon Coast on Monday.
Oregon State Police spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings says around 1:30 p.m. two troopers, a Lane County Sheriff's Office deputy, and an officer from Confederate Tribes of Coos Lower Umpqua Siuslaw Indians Police Department responded to a reported of menacing at 67500 Highway 126 near milepost 3.
Initial investigation found that two men had boat trouble as they were in the Siuslaw River and rowed to a dock where they secured their aluminum drift boat. One of the men remained with the boat as the other walked to get their vehicle and trailer to remove the boat from the water.
After returning with the vehicle and trailer, the men loaded the boat and were getting ready to leave when the property owner, 81-year-old Elden Nordahl, arrived on his boat and approached the men.
After telling them not to leave, Nordahl went into his home and came out with a shotgun, firing one shot that penetrated the boat's hull, Hastings said.
OSP troopers arrested Nordahl for Menacing, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Pointing a Firearm at a Person.
A shotgun, rifle and ammunition were seized for evidence.
OSP troopers reported seeing several people in the river near the incident site that may have been witnesses.
Any witnesses are urged to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888 to leave a message for contact from lead investigator, Recruit Trooper Candyce Fiddy.
