Fisherman who jumped in the water at a crowded beach to escape a gunman is shot in the leg – as the 'attacker, 36, is charged with attempted murder'
- A fisherman, 35, has been shot in the leg after an argument turned violent
- The victim dove into the water to escape the 36-year-old, who pulled a gun
- The victim was helped onto the sand by onlookers, who tended to his gun wound
- Local man William Cowling was arrested and charged with attempted murder
Horrified children and beachgoers have watched on in terror as a fisherman jumped into the water to escape an alleged gunman.
Witnesses say a 35-year-old man was fishing with friends off the shore of West Beach, near Adelaide, when a man opened fire on him late Sunday night.
He dove into the water in an attempt to escape 36-year-old William Cowling, but instead was dragged from the water and placed on a stretcher with a single gun wound to his leg.
A 35-year-old fisherman has been shot in the leg in front of children after an argument at the beach. Pictured are detectives scouring the foreshore for clues
Witnesses saw the 35-year-old man 'screaming out and swearing', Nine News reports.
Onlookers claim an argument broke out between the two men at about 8:30pm before it turned violent.
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When the victim jumped into the water to get away, the 36-year-old allegedly pulled a gun and fired a single shot.
He then jumped over a wall and fled the scene as beachgoers ran to the aid of the bleeding man.
He was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
Police and paramedics flooded the area, blocking off parts of the beach as they conducted an investigation.
One officer was seen carrying a brown paper bag into a forensic analysis van.
Police cordoned off the foreshore and later arrested a 36-year-old at his nearby home
They arrested Cowling at a nearby home later Sunday night, where police allege they found a shotgun.
He was charged with attempted murder and firearms offences, facing court on Monday afternoon.
He walked into Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in handcuffs and a white jumpsuit - generally given to prisoners whose clothes have been taken for forensic testing.
Police allege the men knew each other.
Cowling will face court again later in the year.
Witnesses say the victim, 35, jumped into the water at West Beach (pictured) to escape
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