James Bennett records that Joseph fired a revolving pistol at his assailants.
"Important From Nauvoo—Death of Joseph Smith and Hiram Smith—Terrible Excitement at the West," Weekly Herald 9 no. 28 (July 13, 1844)
Joe Smith had a revolving pistol, and fired it two or three times without effect, but was himself scon killed by the assailants; that Taylor, the editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, was in jail, and was shot through the thigh, but not seriously injured. Rich-ards was not injured.