Are you being sarcastic, perchance? The poor guy probably didn't have a clue what he ought or ought not be doing in such a circumstance, and even if he did, it was a desperation move, taken because in the midst of his impotence against the force of the State his sense of manhood cried out that he needed to to something, even if it made no difference to the outcome. Think John Brown at Harper's Ferry; hopefully that will help.
Well said.