In a few minutes the guard began shooting tear gas cannisters into the crowd. Many students began running to nearby dorms and classrooms, while others just headed across campus away from the guard. I followed the guard with their fixed bayonets, taking pictures of protestors throwing tearing gas back at the guard and then running with their hands over their faces. As the guard moved around both sides of the Journalism building many of us thought their action was over, and we followed around the building to see what happened to the guard. They had trapped themselves on a practice football field with a chain link fence behind them and on both sides and students regathering in front of them.
Several guards knelt and pointed their rifles while the leaders discussed their next move.
Their tactic was to directly confront the students in facing them and cross up the hill in front of Taylor Hall, the Journalism School. I followed the guards from the side and behind without taking any pictures because nothing was happening except for their march. When they reached the highest point on the hill, the last row of guardsmen turned, kneeled and began shooting at students. I was about 80 feet in front of the guard when the firing began. I believed their were shooting blanks and did not feel I had anything to fear.