I don't think we disagree at all, not really. Neither option is good. I just think in the described situation he stood a better chance of hitting someone by shooting at the ground. Especially since it doesn't sound like a lot of consideration went into the shot to begin with.

I grew up in a rural state, and most of my shooting practice has been done on people's farms, not at a range. I have witnessed some freakish, pucker you up riccochets that have made me triple careful about where I would post a target. Falling projectiles do hit people, but in the described situation it sounds like they were miles away from any kind of substantial population density.