Went I was about 10 or 11 (about 1958 or so) my buddy and I were shot at by an old grouch.. why? if I remember correctly I think we were fishing in his private pond. He shot at us with a shotgun loaded with unpoped popcorn. (found some in the pocket of our rain slickers that is how we know what it was) The popcorn just bounced off the rain slickers, but boy did he scare us...never did go fishing in that pond again though...never told our parents either.
Now that I am the grouchy old man myself; but I would never think of actually shooting anything at a kid that was running away. I really feel sorry for the kids getting shot with real live ammo. I think two things will probably be learned. First, the kids might think a little before they do something they know they shouldn't, and second, the guy that shot them will never be able to own a firearm himself again...hard way to learn, but he obviously does not have the good judgement necessary to be a responsible owner, and it is people like him that provide foder for the antis