People trying to excuse these dumb brats - they had already fired a shot. They would likely have killed someone - intentionally or by accident - even if the folks they were trying to rob had complied and started handing over their stuff.
“I fired a warning shot at the guy who had already shot at me and then waited patiently to see what he and his companions would do next. They seemed to mill about in confusion, so I said, ‘Now see here, fellow! If you don’t hie yourself from here immediately, I may not shoot into the air next time!’ That did the trick! They all started crying, the shooter threw down his gun, and they apologized. They’re good lads at heart. They’ve just been smoking that crack cocaine again! Ha!”
Hie thee to a gunnery!