[siunevada]

after being shot with hunting rifles fitted with lead pellets

Written with the authoritative voice and encyclopedic knowledge of a 'journalist'.

[Steelerfan]

Does anyone have any idea what the heck that phrase means? I can't even figure out what he is trying to say.

[Designer]

"Written with the authoritative voice and encyclopedic knowledge of a 'journalist'."

After having been translated from the French. Perhaps there is only one word for "long gun" that is supposed to suffice for both rifles and shotguns?

HUGE benefit of the doubt.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

after being shot with hunting rifles fitted with lead pellets

Written with the authoritative voice and encyclopedic knowledge of a 'journalist'.

Actually, I think the journalist meant to say that they loaded their rifles with chain shot (or perhaps grape and canister shot?)