[angkor]

The bear was likely scared off by one of the troop leaders who was carrying a gun and fired several shots into the air.

Why did he shoot into the air when the poor kid was being attacked?

Hmmmm... well I guess you had to be there.

[CurlyDave]

Why did he shoot into the air when the poor kid was being attacked?

It may not have been possible to be certain of hitting the bear and not the boy.

This things do not play out in slow motion with the bear standing over the boy like in a painting. There is a fast moving tangle of bear & boy.