This is quite different than most people think. I remember from the Trayvon Martin case that "close range" was less than 1 foot. Intermediate range was 1 to 3 feet, and anything over 3 feet was long range.
Not at close range just means more than 12", not a great distance.
Trayvon was sitting on top of GZ beating his head into the sidewalk and the autopsy says he was shot at "intermediate range".
I agree with your assessment of measurements. I think LE takes into account powder burn.
I noticed the house appears to be 1950s, with a porch that, to me, seems somewhat protected. It was said the porch was “small” around 5’ square. Was his porch light working? Did he ever turn it on?
He said when she came to the house, it was totally dark.