re: Well, it doesn't say that Murr was the inductee . . .
. . . merely "a participant".
Other than that, I have to agree with most of what you say here, Larry.
It seems possible, though, that the shots might not have been fired into the air, but to the ground off to the side. This brings ricochet into play, but also wonders about Murr's physical position relative to the shooter.
Now, if Freeman (funny name for a KKK member) was up the tree (or a ladder -- those KKK folks are awfully clever, ya know) securing the inductee's rope when he fired the offending shots -- we-e-ell...
Dan (wondering about the bullistics report, now)