Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican U.S. Senate candidate, has faced scrutiny and disbelief on social media after changing his story about being shot. Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL endorsed by former President Donald Trump, had previously shared a story about being shot in combat and having a bullet lodged in his right arm as evidence of his toughness. However, inconsistencies in the accounts of this incident have emerged. A record filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana revealed that Sheehy told a National Park Ranger in 2015 that he accidentally shot himself in the arm with a Colt .45 revolver while in Glacier National Park. He was cited for illegally discharging his weapon during the incident.
The citation stated that the self-inflicted gunshot left a bullet lodged in Sheehy’s right forearm, based on his account of events. However, Sheehy recently told The Washington Post that his statement to the ranger was a lie. He claimed that he fabricated the story to protect himself and his former platoonmates from a potential military investigation regarding an old bullet wound he claimed to have sustained in Afghanistan in 2012. Sheehy clarified that the gunshot incident in Glacier National Park actually resulted from a fall during a hike, leading to a hospital visit where he mentioned having a bullet in his arm, prompting the interview with the ranger.
Sheehy eventually admitted to paying a fine for illegally discharging his weapon in the national park but defended his actions as a means of safeguarding his platoonmates from being investigated. However, his changing story and explanation have sparked criticism and skepticism on social media. Some commentators questioned Sheehy’s credibility and honesty, suggesting that his shifting narrative raised doubts about his integrity and qualifications as a political candidate. Meanwhile, Sheehy’s lawyer emphasized that since no crime was committed, Sheehy did not impede or obstruct any law enforcement investigation and is not at risk of being charged with lying to the National Park Service rangers.
Despite the controversy surrounding Sheehy’s account of being shot, Republicans view him as their best chance to win the Senate seat currently held by Democratic Senator Jon Tester. However, recent polling in Montana has shown a tight race between Tester and Sheehy. An Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey revealed that Tester had the support of 44% of respondents, while Sheehy garnered 42%. The competition between the two candidates has intensified as the election approaches, with the latest polls indicating a slight shift in voter preferences compared to previous surveys. The outcome of the election remains uncertain, as both candidates vie for the support of undecided voters and attempt to solidify their positions in the race.
