They're being selective about their targets, yes. That doesn't imply anything about the rate. They're not short on legitimate targets.
> IMO the US botched this quite badly.
Certainly.
> I'm almost certain we could have found a way to go about disposing of someone who guns down protesters en masse...
Honestly, I doubt it. I think the only time to do this that wouldn't have been a strategic disaster was at least ten years ago, probably more.