Because it was an honest mistake and they didn't lead them on a car chase. They did not intend to steal, these boys did.
I'm sure they did, but if somebody came up behind me and started shooting, I'd probably run too. The thieves are in the wrong for stealing the gas, the shooter is wrong for trying to kill somebody for $28 worth of gas. I don't know about their state, but in Oklahoma, you just right down the tag number and the cops pick them up. I hate thieves, but what next? Will we condone shooting shoplifters running down the sidewalk too?