What difference does make
None really. Their assassination attempt failed. From what I've seen online of .223 ballistics tests, I've come to the conclusion that it is pretty likely the bullet did not actually strike his ear. The most likely explanation for what happened is that blood vessels in his outer ear ruptured violently from the very close passage of the round passing extremely near his ear while travelling at 12-1400 feet per second. It makes no difference to me whether or not it actually grazed him or not. the government tried to kill him, and missed by the Grace of God