Hmmm...
2:33am,
dark,
glare of street lights,
horse reins in hand,
single perp (presumably alone at that hour) with audible reports and presumably visible muzzle flashes
football-field + away
single-handed
5” drop...
...eyesight is right. Damned good shot, but I give it 60/40 Skill/Luck in this case.
There’s no question in my mind what his reaction was upon regaining composure after the horses reacted to his shot and he saw the perp drop as he was trying to line up for another shot.
I’m not going to armchair-quarterback his decision to shoot...not enough info.
I’m with you. My guess is that the reporting is not accurate or the reporting is an accurate retelling of an inaccurate telling of the facts. Not accusing anyone of lying but as my all time favorite American would say, “Trust but verify”.