History

This Video Never Gets Old: Columbus SWAT Officer Shoots Pistol From Perp’s Hand

August 9, 2022Eric Miller
Columbus Police sniper Mike Plumb moments before pulling off one of the best shots the internet has ever seen. Screenshot from YouTube.

Columbus Police sniper Mike Plumb moments before pulling off one of the best shots the internet has ever seen. Screenshot from YouTube.

Don’t you hate it when you’re just trying to relax in your lawn chair in the middle of a busy intersection when, suddenly, a highly skilled SWAT sniper comes along and shoots your revolver right out of your hand? We sure do.

Believe it or not, that exact scenario actually once happened — and not to us.

On Aug. 16, 1993, 37-year-old Doug Conely parked a white plastic lawn chair in the middle of a residential intersection in Columbus, Ohio, and aimed a .38-caliber revolver at his head. Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene, where they met an extremely distraught Conely sporting a stellar mullet. Gun in hand, Conely demanded to speak to his former girlfriend.

Swat Sniper 1.jpg

Conely moments after having his gun shot out of his hand like a bad guy in a classic western movie. Sorry, cowpoke. Screenshot from YouTube.

(Musicians, take note: If you threw a tractor and a cornfield into this whole situation, it would make one hell of a country song. Moving on.)

Instead of contacting his girlfriend, the officers provided Conely with a shaken-up can of soda — presumably for their own enjoyment — while, behind the scenes, legendary Columbus SWAT sniper Mike Plumb, a Vietnam War veteran, moved into position for what would be one of the most impressive displays of marksmanship ever caught on camera.

Armed with a Steyr SSG PII some 82 yards away, Plumb took aim. Then, after receiving the go-ahead from command, he sent a round straight through the cylinder of Conely’s .38 Special. There was nothing Conely could do except sit there and try not to shit his fucking pants. Stripped of his weapon, he was immediately apprehended, at which point he apparently told the arresting officers, “That was a great shot!”

The video has made its rounds on the internet, and for good reason. It’s incredible. See for yourself in the video above.

Read Next: 11 Questions & A Cup of Coffee: Navy SEAL Veteran and BASE Jumper Andy Stumpf

Eric Miller
Eric Miller

Eric Miller is a former Army Combat Medic from Parkersburg, West Virginia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and has worked with homeless populations and veteran services throughout the state. He is an avid outdoorsman and has recently become interested in woodworking.

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