Is it ok to call a gun withering?

[BenDover23]

At first the workers were apprehensive about the situation, but they felt reassured when there was no command to disperse. Then suddenly they heard the hoarse shout of a staccato military command. Immediately the Tsar’s troops opened direct fire on the crowd. The withering volley leveled the front ranks to the ground while the remaining marchers trampled one another as they fled in terror trying to escape.

I’m 99% sure he’s talking about a volley gun, but why is this expression ok?

to wither:
to affect harmfully:
“Reputations were withered by the scandal.”

Can we say that a '‘a withering scandal marred many reputations"? Just googled it and found “Why is Donald Trump launching a withering attack on nonprofits?”. I’ve never seen it this way before, is it too formal? I though withering is only for flowers and when something is withering it collapses like “Germany’s withering stability is just a local issue” or “Withering Humanities Jobs” or "Scouting Report: Colts’ Defense Withering Away"

[Alan]

For me ‘withering’ is often used to describe the way someone looks at you to suggest they want to show complete contempt for you. A synonym could be ‘scornful’.

Alan

[Cristina.ro]

I’d say - here:

withering - devastating
volley - (a) shower of bullets (i.e. a lot of bullets fired at the same time)