Under level situation

[Levi Payne]

Quick question,
I (Bounty Hunter Gunboat) was being chased by two outcast gunboats that barely speak English, then while trying to get away I was attacked by a level 15 fighter, who doesn't say anything before he starts shooting. Now if this level 15 shoots at you, then flies away to the tradelane you're trying to get to, disrupts the tradelane, then starts shooting at your hull (since your shields are now down) are you justified in shooting at him?
I didn't realize he was a level 15 until I clicked on him right before he died.
I think it was ok that I shot him because A: He didn't say anything before he shot. B: He disrupted the trade lane which kinda is like cd'ing me. It keeps me from getting away.

Now if I'm wrong, I apologize, and if I see him again, I will apologize to him. And if the admins think I deserve a sanction, I will serve that sanction.

But I would like to know if I did something wrong here.