It doesn’t sound like the clerk was confident in his marksmanship. That is what’s sad, from a human perspective.
That, and being stuck in Memphis.
I hope the thief had time to make peace with his maker and made use of the opportunity. And if not, at least was able to enjoy the beer before bleeding out.
The perp probably could have been saved. And made to do restitution- $2) What a shame. Such cruelty to let a person bleed to death. Not even call the police? Even if he was unsure he'd shot him. (Shooting into the dark night without a clear target. Even so....