According to the American Legion, the realigning of ranks presented Wobbly Eugene Barnett, stationed in the Avalon, a direct shot at Grimm. The bullet from Barnett's high-powered rifle caught Grimm in the chest, passed through his body, and eviscerated him where he stood. The legionnaire McElfresh, standing nearby, was next. Hit in the brain by a .22 caliber bullet allegedly fired from Seminary Hill over 500 yards away, he was killed instantly. As the mortally-wounded Grimm was dragged to the sidewalk, additional shots rained down on the unarmed Legionnaires. Caught between dying in the open and charging their ambushers, the Legionnaires then stormed the Roderick and the surrounding buildings.