” The gun shots alerted the neighbors to call the police, so they had some positive effect.”
Reminds me of an ad for an alarm company. The ad showed a picture of a gun and a picture of an alarm panel, and under the gun it read “this will never call the police”. Immediately I knew that was bogus, at least where I live. Fire off a few rounds and the cops will be on the scene MUCH FASTER than responding to what is more than likely yet another false alarm.
I'm sure the ad portrayed the perp as a blonde-haired white guy.