Casualties to units locked in close combat?

[carados]

I had an interesting situation yesterday when I was playing against my friends Orks. He had a Looted Wagon with a Boom Gun or something and he elected to shoot at my Carnifex who was fairly close to his mob of Shoota Boyz (and Warboss). The Shoota Boyz were locked in combat with two Termagants. He fired the shot and the blast marker scattered onto the combat, killing both Termagants and 7 Shoota Boyz. The unit of Shoota Boyz was subsequently disengaged.

The question: In that situation, are the Shoota Boyz free to shoot/run during the shooting phase and in the assault phase, are they allowed to assault? If you have an answer, could you also provide the reference?

I wasn't entirely sure and looking for the passages in the rulebook would've taken a fair while to find (if this is even covered). Therefore, my friend said that it would make sense for them to be unable to act in the assault phase because they were in close combat and they would be confused or some such. I have a feeling that isn't how we are supposed to play it but time was pressing so I went with it.

[apaosa]

In this situation the newly disengaged Shootas can function fully.

[Deathnid]

keep in mind though, they missed the movement phase

[Devil's Advocate]

I would say they would immediately make a consolidate move - Assuming they didn't need to take a panic test for losing 7 boyz.

I would also assume they could shoot and then make an assault move as normal.

[Inquisitor Stingray]

I agree with Devil's Advocate, though it was good sportsmanship of your friend to deem the Orks incapable of shooting/running.