The soldiers made a tactical error at this time. Instead of securing their position around Taylor Hall, they decided to march down the hill to the practice field to take a new position next to a high chain link fence.
A small group of students was driven back to the parking lot next to the soldiers' new position. They were a vocal group, not easily intimidated into retreating. They continued throwing stones at the soldiers and shouting insults. The soldiers considered them as troublemakers.
This small group of students was also regarded as a threat to the soldiers' lives (according to their general's remarks before the commission investigating the massacre). There were 103 soldiers. This photograph proves there was only a small handful of students. How could they be seen as a threat to 103 armed men?