I’m sorry to say it but this was just a stupid thing to do.
+1.
Agreed. I've killed a few snakes in my day and a few things stood out in this story.
1. If the children weren't present when the gun went off then they weren't “being protected” from the snake.
2. Discharging a handgun in a public area is stupid, no telling where the round will end up.
3. If you can't kill a snake with a stick you aren't doing it right. Get a bigger stick or a bigger (smarter) person to swing it.