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Ruffner's Close Encounter With Violence
- Howard Ruffner was standing close to National Guard soldiers when they unexpectedly fired live rounds at Kent State protesters.
- He kneeled with his cameras to protect himself, capturing critical shots immediately after the shooting began.
Weekend Escalation Before Shootings
- Nixon's announcement of Cambodia bombings triggered escalating protests culminating in the Kent State shootings.
- The weekend of unrest featured repeated clashes, the torching of the ROTC building, and inflammatory rhetoric.
Legal Focus on Students, Not Guardsmen
- No National Guard members were indicted for the Kent State shootings, but 25 students were charged at Governor Rhodes' request.
- Charges against most students were dropped after proceedings highlighting the biased legal response.