From the brevity files -- how to sound like a tool (again)

Today's superfluous wording from The State (though the TVs thoughtlessly do this all the time):

Lexington County Coroner Earl Wells said Ethan Payne, 13, of Lexington, died after sustaining a single gunshot wound.

Or, in plain English: died after being shot once.

Do we really want to sound like a tool of the authorities that much? Are we that insecure?