Canterbury concludes that the crowd has been dispersed and orders the Guard to march back to the Commons area. Some continue to shout obscenities and throw rocks at the Guard. As the Guard reaches the crest of Blanket Hill near the Pagoda of Taylor Hall, twenty-eight Guardsmen suddenly turn around 180 degrees, walk back a few steps, and fire their weapons into the group located in the parking lot. Sixty-one shots are fired in thirteen seconds. Four students are killed and nine others injured.
Various professors are successful in preventing further bloodshed.
Afternoon Portage County Prosecutor Ronald Kane orders the school closed. Notes Return to reference 1 1. President's Commission, p. 253. President's Commission, p. 258-259.