Except that he shot a domesticated animal, and on top of that, left the animal alive in extreme pain.
He made a good shot, he immediately informed his father when things went awry and he has publicly taken responsibility for his actions.
He made a bad shot wounding the animal and leaving it alive, and only came forward after it became public.
This kid at least had the grace to defend endangered game birds.
Except that quail aren't endangered.
In this case the animal essentially disappeared.
He was not caught for several days after he found a hiding place.
As for Quail,in my part of the world, misguided fire suppression courtesy of Smoky The Bear, new age farming practices and the conversion of rural areas to suburbs has forced Quail into marginal habitat.
Whether they are consequently endangered as defined by the Envirowackos is anyone's guess.
Many hunters would like to see a return to the flushing coveys of yesteryear.
Best regards,