'Santa Claus' shot in US with pellet gun A man dressed as Santa, who was taking part in a toy giveaway in Washington, was shot in the back with a pellet gun. Courtesy:WLJA Shot ... Santa Claus moments before he was shot. POLICE say a man dressed as Santa Claus delivering toys in southeast Washington, DC was popped in the back with a pellet gun as he walked down the street. Video posted on the WJLA-TV website shows the man waving and walking down the street and exclaiming, "This is awesome." He starts to say "Merry Christmas" when suddenly he turns around, shouts in pain and says he's been shot in the back with a pellet gun. The man is recovering in hospital. In the video he says he is glad no one else was hurt. A reporter for WJLA-TV described the incident as "a war on Christmas." The shooting of 'Santa' has left locals asking, who would open fire on the man in the red suit? Police believe it came from a second-storey window. Santa's helper remained remakarbly festive. Despite being shot he wanted to stay and deliver gifts. But paramedics advised him that would be a bad idea.