FYI. 200 yards is not far away. An experienced hunter, with a decent rifle, can typically make 200-300 yards.
Long-range rifles will top out around 1000-2000 yards.
Discussion
I mean, you can hit someone with a bow, from 50 yards, ffs.
It's not because of the range. It's because of the psychological factors of taking a shot in a crowded area, at a human target, and then how the exfil was quickly and skillfully commenced. This was someone ready to do a job and they delivered, then they got out of there. What's more, they had help either intentionally or unintentionally when law enforcement apprehended TWO separate false suspects but the sniper got away. There are too many things wrong about this.
Anyone with military or hunting experience is up to that sort of kill, if they want it bad enough. It wasn't some sort of genius act. And, of course, they left. Not every shooter is suicidal.
The people they arrested weren't very sniper-y and didn't have real rifles. Incompetent police are not proof of professional hitman.
experienced hunter? pfft, not even. give me an afternoon on the range and I could hit 200 yds consistently.
Yeah, I was rifle team and the idea that you need to be Seal Team 6 to shoot 200 yards is just silly.
This screams organised and pre-planned.
That's not the same as professional.
So i agree with what your saying here.