The Battle of the University of Austin

Within just 30 minutes the University of Austin's campus had transformed from a peaceful place of learning to a veritable war zone. Scores of police officers lay down covering fire as assault teams rushed the main building's front entrance. A police sharpshooter in a small plane was driven back by Whitman's return fire but continued to circle at a distance seeking distract Whitman and further limit his freedom to choose targets. Immediately following the shootings, the main buildings observation deck was closed off to the public. One of the first wounded people they encountered was 19-year-old Mike Gabbard, one of Whitman's first victims.