Much as I've liked and participated in the humor here, hunting accidents are no joke. "If you don't know, don't shoot" is absolutely right. The Vice President, who probably feels horrible right now, should (and will likely) admit that he messed up and acknowledge that safety must come first when hunting.
They were too close together. Shotgun shot doesn't got that far. The whole thing could have been prevented if they'd kept at least 75 or more yards apart. I've dove hunted a few times in CA, where the fields are full of hunters. I've had shot fall on me at least a half a dozen times. Yes, it is spooky. None of this is intended as hunting advice. The number one rule of gun safety is, NEVER ALLOW YOUR SELF TO BE IN FRONT OF ANY GUN.