[Pharmboy]

From Wikipedia:

Hamilton and Burr agreed to cross the Hudson River at dawn to take the duel to a rocky ledge in Weehawken, New Jersey, because dueling had been outlawed in New York. Both men's seconds were instructed to look away as the dueling began, lest they be charged as accomplices to the crime. Hamilton fired first and missed, most likely intentionally. Burr, possibly hoping to merely wound Hamilton in the leg, instead shot Hamilton in the lower abdomen above the right hip. The bullet ricocheted off Hamilton's rib and caused considerable damage to his internal organs, particularly his liver and spine.

Emphasis added.

[RobbyS]

That sounds reasonable. I remembered that Hamilton suffered from a wound to the liver. Hamilton is said to have fired into the air. Burr could have satisfied his honor by discharging his weapon to the side but chose not to.Burr, of course, was guilty of no crime in NY. although I think, a DA tried to make up some charges. Burr returned to the capitol to president over the Senate. Since his career in the east was busted he soon left to try his foprtune in the West.