“Sherrod’s father, Hosie Miller, had a dispute with a man over cows that had come into his pasture. The neighbor insisted that three of Miller’s cows were his. Miller said he would call the “law” to settle the dispute. As Hosie Miller was closing the gate, he was shot in the back, the family says.”
Back in the day they shot cattle thieves...
http://www.ajc.com/news/shirley-sherrod-shaped-by-575702.html
Another part of the story that I hadn't heard until today was the interim between Hosie's being shot, and his death. He was shot in the night of March 15. He died on March 25th.
My assumption had been that he was shot in the back, and died shortly thereafter ... death being a direct result of being shot. Now I read he was shot in the chest and survived for 9 days, more or less.