• NounsAndWords@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    From what I remember about this one, the media switched from calling them ‘snipers’ to ‘gunmen’/shooters as soon as we found out they were black.

    • JackGreenEarth
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      1 year ago

      Is there a difference? I thought the words were synonymous in meaning and connotation.

      • BloodSlut@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Personally, I view “sniper” as having the connotation of being a much higher skillset and degree of planning and competency. Likely with some level of training and control.

        Meanwhile “gunner” could just be any half-brained Joe schmo who picks a gun of the ground and starts firing.

        As for diction, sniper typically refers to a long range shooter using a powerful rifle while gunner could be using any gun.

  • Stout4689@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I remember something like this. Made me think I was going t s hot on the way to school! I wish I could say the world has improved since then

  • darganon@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    This was a crazy time to live right in the area they were shooting people. Luckily their pattern was “shoot people standing still close to the interstate” so the risk was pretty minimal, but terrifying nonetheless.

  • decadentrebel@lemmy.worldM
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    1 year ago

    I remember when this was dominating the news like it was yesterday. It was heavily implied that the shooters were Al Qaeda or terrorists given that this was around the time 9/11 was still fresh.