03:04 PM EDT on Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Associated Press

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- A state legislator arrested when his pistol fired after confronting two utility workers said he feared for his life, and if he had wanted to shoot the workers, he would have.

"I did not take a shot at them," said Rep. Wallace Scarborough, 47. "If I wanted to shoot at them, they'd be dead."

The workers were checking for storm damage outside Scarborough's parents' home in West Ashley on Saturday night.

The Republican lawmaker, who was house sitting, said Monday his 9 mm handgun accidentally discharged as he was walking away from the men.

Scarborough was arrested and spent the night in jail, charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill.

The tape of a phone call to police mentions an "irate customer" confronting two South Carolina Electric & Gas workers.

"Someone shot a gun at you?" asks a dispatcher.

"Yes ma'am, that's correct," said one of the linemen.

Under state law, if indicted on the felony charges, Scarborough would be suspended without pay from his office.

The utility said its workers had the right to enter the property to inspect power lines to check for storm damage.

About two-thirds of the neighborhood was in the dark, the company said. Scarborough's parents' house did not lose power.

"They identified themselves to Mr. Scarborough as SCE&G employees and explained why they were in the area," said a statement from the utility. "Nevertheless, Mr. Scarborough threatened our linemen with a weapon."

Scarborough said the workers entered the yard unannounced and he thought the flashlights in the backyard could be burglars.

He said the workers refused his request to show identification and kept him blinded by shining flashlights in his eyes.

"My understanding is that they had badges," utility spokesman Eric Boomhower said. "They were not asked to show the badges, but they were in full uniform."

Scarborough faces Democrat Eugene Platt in the Nov. 7 election.