It’s spray. The bullet literally makes a splash pock mark (mild steel) or just spatters on impact (hardened steel, like AR500 or 550). At that range the lead component of the bullet probably ends up as dust, and pieces of the jacket are probably what got the reporter.
It’s hard to imagine the stupid from those guys shooting at metal targets 20-30 ft away. I wouldn’t consider myself a gun enthusiast, but I know that’s really dumb.