Dam straight, Phesoj.  That's exactly the issue.  The old guy was comfortable with firearms and would not have missed a couple of tree cutters at point blank range so the issue isn't that he shot anyone and it isn't that he shot at anyone.  He didn't.  

Now, what are the defensible options available to someone responsible for escalating this from irresponsible discharge of a weapon to public execution?   

There are none.

Just for the record, I don't have any issue with what the officers did and I expect that they should have done exactly what they were told.  I have an issue with the poor management responsible for this debacle.  

...and Rachael, you will get your wish.  As the economy trickles to a stop there will be fewer dollars in the system to squander on nuisance issues.  All of us will get your wish and thankfully so.