[ridesthemiles]

One report aired in my area said that the police found slingshots on the victims. Plural. Empty vodka bottle in auto they were driving.,
Who in the world takes a slingshot to a zoo?

These 3 creeps were looking for trouble. They found it.

The tiger is geting blamed for something that never should have happened.

[muawiyah]

There's dispute over the validity of the slingshot story. One of the guys had a court date regarding vodka however, so we don't know if the "bottle in car" story is valid or simply an extension off the court record.

There's dispute over the slingshots.

Remember, the investigation isn't done. The cops have DNA test results to get back (for the "blood trail" because that will give us an idea of who was doing what to whom), and there are witnesses to be located and talked to.

[Red in Blue PA]

You nailed it.

It really is as simple as that.