: The group was led by Town Marshal Virgil Earp , joined by his brothers Wyatt and Morgan Earp , and their friend John "Doc" Holliday , who was acting as a temporary deputy .
: The immediate trigger was Virgil Earp's attempt to enforce a local ordinance that prohibited carrying firearms within town limits .
: Frustrated by a lack of legal recourse, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday embarked on a bloody "Vendetta Ride," tracking down and killing the men they believed responsible for Morgan's death before fleeing Arizona . From History to Legend Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
: The opposing group included Ike Clanton , Billy Clanton , Frank McLaury , Tom McLaury , and Billy Claiborne . The Conflict: Why it Happened
was later ambushed and left permanently maimed . : The group was led by Town Marshal
: Tensions had been simmering between the Earps and the Cowboys for months, fueled by accusations of cattle rustling and stagecoach robbery .
: It remains unknown who fired first . Legend often credits Wyatt Earp, but historian accounts vary . The Aftermath: Justice or Vengeance? From History to Legend : The opposing group
The dust cleared with three Cowboys dead——while Virgil, Morgan, and Doc were wounded . Wyatt Earp emerged entirely unscathed .