since other routes were blocked by the national guard, many marchers began to head down baralt avenue in order to reach miraflores. on baralt avenue, near the llaguno overpass as the march inched closer hundreds of chávez supporters gathered and began throwing large rocks, molotov cocktails and even tear gas at the demonstrators. as marchers and chavistas clashed, the metropolitan police attempted to separate both sides from further confrontation with two trucks with water cannons. police motorcycles pushed the opposition towards the chavistas, and as a police tank turned onto the main street, gunfire broke out shortly after 3:00pm. by that time, lameda, molina tamayo, carmona, and ctv leader carlos ortega had already left the area.