I think the author is putting emphases on how that worl is different from ours. How their entire set of morals is different. And how the Law there is absolute.
I may be wrong. But to me it's a 'get real' moment, see exactly how it is here.
Yet I really hope they didn't kill him but shot his arm or something. Or that he has some powers and can revive... or maybe that he's a zombie (look at that dark ring in his neck xD)
Damn, what happened?!?!?