Right after the new Comiskey Park was built, I recall hearing a rumor that you could find seats in the upper deck with bullet holes in them, presumably from folks taking target practice in the old Robert Taylor homes across the Dan Ryan.
I never really believed this rumor–besides being slightly racist, it just seems incredible that a rifle could do that kind of damage from that distance. Still…anyone here have any info about this rumor and/or it’s veracity? Thx:-)
The answer, incredibly, is that it’s both an urban legend and also absolutely true.
Leave it to Chicago. Nothing’s ever too far-fetched with you guys.
We will shoot at ANYTHING. (shrug)
It comes from summers in Wisconsin shooting at road signs. Or summers in Chicago shooting at rival gang members.
If you aren’t particularly concerned about accuracy, even a .22 bullet can do damage at 150 yards and more.
Yeah, but the Robert Taylor Homes would be more like 600 yards away, maybe even a half a mile (it depends, of course, on where the bullet holes were found inside the park; for years I’ve been assuming it was on the first-base side since that provides the most obvious target, but perhaps they hit the back of seats in the extreme right-field upper deck, which would perhaps be closer).
The 2nd link from Airman Doors, USAF confirms that bullet holes were found (after the rumor started to spread). The article mentions police investigating whether “shots may have come from nearby highrises or from somewhere in or near the ballpark.” I guess now my question is–considering the distance between the Comiskey upper deck and RTH (would help if someone had an accurate distance) and dismissing accuracy, could a “typical” rifle punch a hole into a hard plastic seat from that distance?
No agenda here; I really don’t know and would be interested in the answer.
A rifle can easily kill from over a mile. In fact, the all-time sniper kill distance record is 2,475 meters, which is over a mile and a half. That’s aiming down the sight and hitting what you’re aiming at. Hitting an open stadium is simplicity itself compared to that.