I really doubt that he was all that close to being shot down. I actually doubt fighters were scrambled or missiles armed. They might have been if he had entered restricted airspace, but from the story, it sure sounds like he did not. Even if he did enter restricted airspace, the threat would have been assessed, actions taken, and so on. Perhaps, he might have even gotten a fighter escort out of restricted airspace. Shooting down a plane over a populated area is going to be an absolute last resort.