National Guardsmen fired at Kent State because they came under sniper fire
| National Guardsmen fired at Kent State because they came under sniper fire | |
|---|---|
| FALSE | |
| "Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire on students at Kent State University on May 4, 1970, because they were being shot at by a sniper." | |
| Domain | Crime & Public Safety |
| Tactic | Fabrication |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | 1970 |
| Origin | Ohio National Guard statements on the day of the shooting |
| Last reviewed | 2026-11-01 |
| Further reading: books on Crime & Public Safety | |
On May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen fired on students protesting the US invasion of Cambodia at Kent State University, killing four and wounding nine. Guard officials initially said troops had fired after being shot at by a sniper.
No evidence of a sniper was ever found.
What the evidence shows
- Commission finding. The President's Commission on Campus Unrest, chaired by William Scranton, concluded in September 1970 that the shooting was "unnecessary, unwarranted, and inexcusable."
- No sniper. The FBI investigation found no evidence that anyone had fired at the Guard before the volley.
- Distances. Most victims were more than 100 meters from the Guardsmen. Two of the dead were walking between classes.
- Courts. Federal criminal charges against eight Guardsmen were dismissed in 1974. A civil suit ended in 1979 with a $675,000 settlement and a statement of regret signed by the defendants.
Why it matters
The sniper story, unsupported from the start, shaped early coverage and public reaction. The official commission rejected it within months.
Sources
- President's Commission on Campus Unrest, The Report of the President's Commission on Campus Unrest, September 1970.
- Kent State University Libraries, "May 4 Collection."
- The New York Times, "Kent State Guardsmen's Statement of Regret," January 5, 1979.