Do not underestimate beanshooters.
Link:
http://www.asheboro.com/users/teallen/rufus1.htm
That said, I hasten to remind everyone proximity does not equate to causality (or some such)
Mere possession of a beanshooter does not prove the boys used it to antagonize the tiger.
For that you need to find projectiles and bruises on the tigers body.
There are many stupid things the kids could have done to provoke the tiger without the aid of a slingshot.
Best regards,
They are better these days.
If these rejects were shooting at the tiger, I have no sympathy for them.