Eleven Pipers Piping question

I almost stopped reading Eleven Pipers Piping glad I didn't, the second half really starts picking up.
Unfortunately the one, probably the only thing that will stick in my mind is the shotgun used at the end, really? There is a reason it was used as a noise maker. There is no way Father Tom Christmas would not be hit with the shot spray from a shotgun that is if the shooter was close enough for a fatal shot in the first place.