Officials knew Cole intended to proceed.

They knew Lumbee residents were angry.

They knew both sides might be armed.

They had to decide whether and how to protect a Klan gathering without appearing to endorse it, while also trying to prevent a confrontation from turning deadly.

Robeson County Sheriff Malcolm McLeod and other local and state officers were present around the event.

Accounts indicate that officers intervened once the fighting began and helped restore order.

The absence of fatalities is remarkable given the number of weapons and the darkness.

It would be easy to imagine a different ending.

One shot could have killed someone.

A death could have triggered retaliation.