Thanks for the info. I think maybe what I was shooting was a double-barrel (2 shells side by side). I don’t know anything about shotguns - -know a little bit more about handguns. I’ve been thinking about getting a gun for protection (something like a 32 police woman’s special - shot one long ago and it didn’t have much kickback and fit in my hand well). I’ve shot automatics, but they scare me a little (I know women shoot them, but they seem more like a “guys gun” to me ;-)
The guns you describe fit with the witnesses saying they saw 10-20 shotgun shells on the floor.
I’m going to assume you’re female from your comment. Automatics are actually a better choice for women as they allow the use of a larger and more effective projectile for the same level of felt recoil (’kickback’). Or it can fire the same class projectile as the revolver for reduced felt recoil.
I have an almost-elderly female friend who has arthritis in her hands. She cannot fire a small .38 revolver without great pain but she can comfortably shoot a 9mm automatic (same power and general size class.)
Of course, the trick is to not buy the larger caliber autos (.40, .45, .50) if you’re not comfortable shooting them. :P And there are both autos and revolvers that are more than a handful for even large men to hang on to. :P