Well, my hunch is that she got shot in the face simply because she suddenly did something that was interpreted as a threat to the shooter. Might not be to you and I in the light of day but at that hour of the night, who can say?

Considering that there are cases of someone asking for help and busting down the door, it is hard to say.

The leg would is a nice thing to think about. So is a head shot. However, in a panic situation, it is very difficult to really aim hence the best target is the body which is the largest part. It isn't like a sniper taking his own sweet time to aim at a particular hair on your face. I wish I were that good that I could aim for a particular spot in a crisis mode. Fact is, it is very difficult to hit what you are aiming for. Even trained solders will have difficulty hitting a moving target at a range in broad daylight. Make it night and a split sudden decision and the odds suddenly fall to the floor.

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Update

Renisha McBride's shooter to stand trial for second degree murder | MSNBC

Maybe it is right to see him face trial. You have to wonder what he was really thinking.

There may be extenuating circumstances. I was not there. He obviously was unable to convince a judge there were either. Or political pressure was too much of a consideration and influence. Still overall how much threat is a 19 year old girl that obviously is unarmed.

A very late night telephone call is usually not a good thing nor in reality someone unknown at your door in those hours. If apprehensive you should be able to talk through the locked door.