Brag: My buddy killed a guy who tried to rob his party

[gusmahler]

The problem with shooting to wound is you don't know what'll happen.

Let's say that when Villain mouths off, OP's friend shoots him in the shoulder. Good chance that Villain will drop the gun in severe pain. But there's also a chance that Villain (intentionally or by reflex) would pull the trigger and kill the hostage (or OP's friend).