Unusual Cat Behavior

Yesterday I watched as the adult male cat, we call Tigger, walked away with two of the three kittens.  They jumped down off the back deck, headed over toward our old shed and went inside.  I assumed they were looking for a cooler location.  However, they left a little black and white male, we call Skeeter, behind.  That was early afternoon.  Around 5 or 6 PM I heard small caliber rifle shots from just down the mountain but didn't think much about it cause our neighbors target practice and hunt often.  Anyway later in the evening, when it was feeding time, they still hadn't returned which is very unusual cause they seldom miss mealtime.  Went ahead and fed Skeeter, who didn't seem to be very hungry.  Cathy and I discussed bringing the lone kitten into the house for the night just to be safe but finally decided that we would leave him out on the deck just in case the others returned.  Checked again this morning and they still aren't back.  Now I am getting a little concerned and plan to go on a walk about to see if I can find the missing brood.  In the meantime we're bringing Skeeter in the house for safekeeping.  More later.