[Dudoight]

yeah, your inclination is to wonder why they didn't just shoot him in the arm or leg....but, there is not enough real info in the story to assess completely. If the girl had a protection order...we don't know why. Cops used to be hammered for ignoring protection orders, letting the guy go ahead and beat or kill the wife or girlfriend. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't stop these nuts.

[Alas Babylon!]

In my military career I have known about men shot in the leg who died within minutes due to cutting the femoral artery. It's not uncommon. This can happen to a arm shot, too (but rarer). There has also been cases when someone has been shot in the heart or head and lived. When you shoot someone, assume you shoot to kill. Only God knows the outcome.