Was the narrator in "Shooting an Elephant" justified in shooting the elephant? Could the situation be handled in any other way?

The narrator feels that he had no choice in shooting the elephant. He feels guilty for the act, because at this point, the elephant had halted his maniacal rage, yet , ultimately, he knew that it was his duty to take the elephant out.

The crowd, which hated the British intrusion, would have accepted no less. It was important that the narrator appear strong and in control in the face of such strong adversity.While there was certainly the other option-not shooting the elephant-for the narrator, this was the right one for the time.