Transcript of 166-12c-1_serial_1_section_1_56-la-156_la_report_6.15.68-part_2_of_7.pdf
==================================================
Page 1
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64 )
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
1 Date
6/12/68
ROBERT THOMAS JAMES
9
Counterman, Coffee
Ambas gador Hotel
3
3400 Wilshire Boulevard
5
Los Angeles
9 California, was interviewed at his place of emp loyment and
advised that he was at the hotel from approrimately 4.00 p.m_
June 4 , 1968_
5
until 12-04 a.m. , June 5, 1968, after which time
he departed for home While on he remained in the coffee
shop the entire time, tool no breaks , and never went upstairs
near the Embassy Roon
A photograph of SIRHAN BISHARA SIRHAN was displajyed
to JAMES but he was unable t? state that he had seen this
individual in or about the hotel on June 4, 1968 , or June 5,
1968 .
On 6/1/68 at _Las Angeles, California File # LS AngeLes 56_156
46
by SA EARLE BOYDalm Date dictated
6/11/68_
This document containg neither recommendationg nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBI ad is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
Sh?p ,
duty ,
==================================================
Page 2
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
6/11/68
Date
ALFRED TODD JONES
9
845 South Burnside Avenue
Los Angeles California, home telephone number WE 5-4971,
was interviewed at his plece of employment
2
Ambassador
Hotel, 3400 Wilshire Boulevard
9
Los Angeles California
where he is counter manager of the hotel coffee shop JONES
furnished the following information:
On June 4 , 1968 , JONES arrived at work at approximately
7 :00 AM and worked at the coffee shop counter until approximately
3:00 PM_
5
when he left the hotel grounds
JONES could furnish no information relative to the
assassination of Senator ROBERT F_ KENNEDY _ JONES stated that
he was at home and had retired for the night at the time of
the shooting _
A photograph of SIRHAN BISHARA SIRHAN dated
June 5, 1968
9
bearing Los Angeles
9
California
9
Police Department
Booking Number 495 139
9 was displayed to JONES After examining
the photograph JONES advised that to his knowledge he has
never seen SIRHAN
JONES further advised that he was born on Oc tober 9 ,
1909 , at Cairo , Illinois
On
6/8/68
at
Los Angeles California File # Los Angeles 56-156
47
by
SA JOSEPH A KRAHLTNG/sgMs Date dictated
6/8/68
Thi8 document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI: It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
==================================================
Page 3
==================================================
FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
6/12/68
Date
WALIER KOPEC , Counterman, Coffee Shop
9
Ambassador
Hotel, 3400 Wilshire Boulevard , LJs Angeles
9
California, was
interviewed at his place of emp and advised that he
:Jas on duty from 3:00 p . m. 9
June
eoynens
5
1968 , until approximately
midnight on that date KOPEC advised he left the hotel shortly
after midnight and went home He was in the coffee shop the
entire evening and never xent near the Embassy Room upstairg
A photograph 2f SIRHAN BISHARA STRHAN was displayed t?
KOPEC but he was unable t? state that he had seen an individual
resembling STRHAN in the hotel on June 4, 1968
6/10/68 Los Angeles , Ca lifornia Los Angeles 56-156
On at File #
48
SA EARL E BOYD/a ln 6/11/68
by Date dictated
Thig document containg neither recommendationg nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency _
==================================================
Page 4
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev . 4-15-64 ;
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date
6/12/68
MANUEL ` MORA
9
laundry room employee a t the
Ambasgador Hotel, advised as follows ;
He worked a t the Amba sgador Hotel on June 4 , 1968,
and off Cuty approximately 5:30 p : m He left for home
at that time and did not stay &round for the KENNEDY victory
celebration_ MORA was shown 3 photograph of SZRHAN . SIRHAN
and he advised {hat he had never seen the person before _
49-
On
6/10/68
at
Los Angeles 2 California
File #
Los ` Angeles 56-156
SA DAVID R PENDER/vaa 6/11/68
by Date dictated
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of tlle FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
got
==================================================
Page 5
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64 )
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
Date 6/10/68
VERA PATTEN
9
6566 Fountain Avenue , Hollywood
California
9
home telephone number HO 4-5289,
was inter
viewed at her place of employment Ambassador Hotel,
3400 Wilshire Boulevara, Los Angeles
9
California, where
she is a switchboard operator PATTEN furnished the
following information:
On June 4, 1968_
2
PATTEN worked from 4:00 PM
to 8:00 PM_ After getting off of work at 8:00 PM
2 PATTEN remained at the Ambassador Hotel until approximately
10:00 PM
9
spending most of the evening in and ar ound the
Embassy Room She left the hotel at about 10:00 PM, went
out for dinner after which she went home She did not
return to the Ambassador Hotel again until 4:00 PM on
June 7, 1968 _
PATTEN advised that she had no information
relative to the assa8sination of Senator ROBERT F KENNEDY
A photograph of STRHAN BISHARA SIRHAN dated
June 5, 1968
3
bearing Los Angeles
9
California, Police
Department Boking Number 495 139_
9
was displayed to
PATTEN After viewing this photograph , PATTEN advised
that she has never seen this person
PATTEN advised that she was born on January 11,
1919 , at Auburn New_York, and that her Social Security
Number 1s PIE
On
6/8/68
at Los Angeles UeliforniaFile # Los_Angeles 56-156
50
by SA JOSEPH A KRAHLTNG/eig[S
Date dictated
5/8/68
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI: It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be digtributed outside your agency
==================================================
Page 6
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 6/10/68
KATHERINE ROBERTSON
9
1110 Wilshire Boulevard,
Apartment 208 Los Angeles
9
California_
9
hone telephone
number 481-2579_
9 was interviewed at her place of employ -
ment the Ambassador Hotel , 3400 Wilshire Boulevard
9
Los Angeies
9
California, where she i8 a switchboard operator
ROBERTSON furnished the following information:
On June 4, 1968 ROBERTSON arrived for work
at the Ambassador Hotel at approximately 12:30 PM _
She took her position at the Ambassador Hotel switch-
board at 12:45 PM and worked until 8;45 PM _ ROBERTSON
left the hotel
9
via taxi cab
9
from the front door at
approximately 9:00 PM and went to her residence
ROBERTSON did not return to work again until
Satur
9
June 8
9
1968
ROBERTSON could furnish no inforation relative
to the assa8sination of Senator ROBERT F KENNEDY
A photograph of STRHAN BISHARA SIRHAN dated
June 5, 1968
9
bearing Los Angeles
9
California , Police
Department Booking Number 495 139 was displayed to
ROBERTSON After examining the photograph, ROBERTSON
advised that she does not recall ever seeing this
individual
ROBERTSON advised that she was born on May 20 9
1909 , at Louisville_ Kentucky
9
and that her Social Security
Number is PII
6/8/68 Los Angeles
9
California Los Angeles 56-156
On at File #
51
SA JOSEPH A KRAHL= 'ING/sjg/HMS 6/8/68
by Date dictated
Thi8 document containg neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBL and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
'day
==================================================
Page 7
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64 )
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 6/12/68
ALFRED VIGIL ROYBAL, parking lot attendant Eighth
Street Parking Lat
)
Anbas sador Hotel , '3400 Wilshire Boulevard ,
Xas interviewed . at his emp loynent and advised that he Ia8 on
frjn 7:30 a Jil 9
June 4
9
1968
5
until 3;30 a n
9
June 5, Syt8
ROYBAL was ehomn a ograph 2f SIRHAN BISHARA SIRHAN
and stated that he Wae unable t? etate whether he had s een an
inoividual res emb ling SIRHAN in or about the parking lot during
June 4 , 1368
9
throuzh June 5, 1968 ROYBAL stated that he
never left the parking lot and was never in the hotel
On
6/10/68 at L2e_ Angeles_ California File # L2s Angeles 56-156
52-
by SA EARL E BOYDa Jm Date dictated
6/11/68
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBI &d is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency_
phot
==================================================
Page 8
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
6/12/68
Date
Mrs GLADYS SARAH SHARRETT Waitress , Coffee
Ambassador Hotel, 3400 Wilshire Boulevard
9
Los Angeles
5 California, was interviewed at her place of employment and
advised that ghe was on duty from approximately 12 noon until
8:45 P .m_ June 4, 1968 and worked the same duty schedule
June
5,1968.
Mrs SHARRETT stated that she spent the entire
period in the coffee shop and was never upstairs near the
KENNEDY For President Campaign Headquarters
She Ivas displayed a photograph pf SIRHAN BISHARA
SIRHAN and stated that she had never seen an individual
resenbling SIRHAN in or about the hotel 3n June 4
6/10/68 Los Angeles , California Los Angeles 56-156
On at File #
53
SA EARL E BOYD/alm 6/11/68
by 'Date dictated
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed utside your agency.
Shop ,
duty
1968
==================================================
Page 9
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
Date
6/11/68
RUBY REBECCA TRUM (Mrs JOSEPH TRUM)
9
Cornwell_
9
Los Angeles
9
California, home telephone number
'22536868
9 was
interviewed at her place of employment Ambassador Hotel, 3400
Wilshire Boulevard
9
Los Angeles
9
California, where she is a waitress
in the hotel coffee shop_ TRUM furnished the following informa-
tion:
On June 4, 1968, TRUM arrived at work at about noon
and worked until 8:00 PM _ At approximately 8:30 PM that
9
she left work and went home
TRUM could furnish no information relative to the
assassination of Senator ROBERT F KENNEDY a8 she was home at
the time of the shooting
A photograph of STRHAN BISHARA STRHAN dated
June 5 , 1968
9
bearing Los Angeles
9
California , Police
Department Booking Number 495 139
9
was displayed to TRUM
After viewing the photograph
9
TRUM advised that she has never
seen the individual in this photograph
TRUM advised that she was born on December 1l ,
1909
9
in Ireland
6/8/68 Los Angeles , California Los Angeles 56-156
On at File #
54
SA JOSEPH A KRAHLING / sjg/HMS 6/8/68
by Date dictated
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBI and i8 loaned to
your agency; it ad its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
day
==================================================
Page 10
==================================================
FD 302 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Datc
6L12/68
FRANCES A TUNISON laundry roon employee at the
Ambas sador Hotel furnished the following information:
She worked at the Ambessador Hotel on the after_
noon of June 4 , 1968
5
and she went off duty 8 t approximately
8;45 p . m She went right home from wok and did not stay
around for the KINNEDY victory celebration TUNISON was
shown 8 photogreph of SIRHAN SIRHAN and she advised that
she has never seen him before
55
On
6/10 /68
at
Los_Angeles_ Californie File #
Los Angeles 56-156
SA DIVID R PENDER/vaa 6/11/68
by Date dictated
This docement conlains ncilhcr rccomnmendations nor conclusions of the FBI: It is the propcrty of the FBI and is loancd to
your agcncy; it and its contents are not lo bc distribultcd outside YOur agency_
==================================================
Page 11
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
Date 6412/68
IRENE WISHNUCK laundry room employee at the
Ambassador Hotel , furnished the following information:
She started work on June 4 , 1968, at 11:00 p. m .
9
and off duty at 7:00 a 1 9
the next morning _ She stayed
in the laundry room the whole tine
9
and never went upstairs
She had n3 firsthand knowledge as to the shooting that occurred
upstairs WISHNUCK was shown a photograph of SIRHAN SIRHAN
and she advised she had never seen him before
The only unusual incident that WISHNUCK could
recall happening in the last severa 1 weeks was that some
time during the afternoon pf June 3, 1968
9
a Negr? ma le
over 8ix feet tall, medium build and about 30 years old,
asked for a busboys uniform but he did not ha ve the necessary
card with which to obtain the uniform When she told him he
had to ha ve such a card, he said nothing and just wa Lked
awaj _ She had never seen the man before, and she has never
seen him since then
On -6419/68 at 538Ange le8 , €alifarnta File # Bos Angeles 56-156
5G
by _ 8A DAVTD R, PENDERAva & Date dictated 6/+1/68
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBI and i8 loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are 'not to be distributed outside your agency.
got
==================================================
Page 12
==================================================
LA 56-156
ADDITIONAL INTRVIEWS OF INDIVIDUA LS
IN AREA OF SHOOTING
57
==================================================
Page 13
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev_ 4-15-64 )
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
Date Juc 12 ,
ROOSEVEL GRIER 1148 South Spaulding, Loe Angeleg
California
9
telephone 336-6441
9
furniehed the following
Informatio to Special Agents JAMES CACWASSOLA, JR _ and WILLIAM P_
CRAWFORD from the FBI:
At approximately 7:33 p . m _ on June 4 , 1968_
9
GRIER
arrived at the Ambagsador Hotel, 3429 Wilshire Boulevard
9 Los Angeles
9
California
)
and went directly to the coffee shop _
GRIER wa s a lone at this time At approximately 8:09 p . m
he observed Sena tor ROBERT F KENNEDY walk past the coffee
ehop followed by his wife ETHEL and other unrecalled individuals
ETHEL KENNEDY observed GRIER and invited him to the KENNEDY
suite on the fifth floor of the hotel GRIER did not go
directly upstairs at that time but rather went to the prees
room where he was interviewed by members of the news media
He then went to a ballroom which was downetairs and which was
occupied by KENNEDY ca_ mpaign workerg GRIER thereafter went
to the fifth floor of the hotel and arrived there at approximately
9:33
L
13:30 p . m
Upon arriving at the KENNEDY suite he went to the
room which was being used by KENNEDY officiale This room
was located to the right of the room being used by Sena tor
KENNEDY and hig family_ During this time he spoke with Mrs _ JOHN
GLENN JOAN BRADEN who was in charge of the Women for KENNEDY
campa
ign
in California and BLANCHE WHTTAKER (phonetic) who is
the wife of JAMES WHITAKER
9
a friend of the KENNEDY family and
RAFER JOHNSON GRIER spoke to Senator KENNEDY about the
Ca lifornia primary election returns and relajyed a message from
PIERRE SALINGER who requested that he tell KENNEDY that he ,
meaning KENNEDY
9
was leading with 53 percent of the votes
returned in San Francisco KENNEDY aeked GRIER if SALINGER
wanted to talk to him and GRIER replied no
At an unrecalled time Sena tor KENNEDY left his suite
and went to the fourth floor to be interviewed for television
GRLER noticed that neither BILL BARRY_
9
KENNEDY 8 personal body
guard_
)
nor RAFER JOHNSON wes: in the area at this time and
GRIER decided to escort XENNEDY to the fourth_ floor_ At the
On
6/11/68
at
Los_Angelee
9
California_File # Log_Angeles_56-156_
58 JC :mak
SAe JAMES CAGNASSOLA, JR _ and WILLIAM P_ CRAWFORD
by Date dictated
6/11/68
This document containg neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it ad its contents ae not to be distributed outside your agency.
4968 _
==================================================
Page 14
==================================================
2
LA 56-156
fourth floor KENNEDY connducted two or three tclevision
interviews and dur the second interview GRIER observed.
BARRY join Senator KENNEDY and he decided to {0 downstairs
to one of: the ballroons Prior to his departure BARRY told
GRIER "Don 1 t {0 too fax because the Senator i9 c oning down
Senator KENNEDY also asked GRIER if he was leaving and GRTHR
indicated he would return in 3 short while GRIER left the
fourth floox at approximate Ly 11:00 or 11;30 p m and vent
to the doox of' the press room At this timc he heard the
security guard talking to some individuals , identities unknown ,
informing them that they could not enter the pre8s room Without
8 pas2 As GRIER looked at the security Guard, the guard
motioned to the right kith his head indicating to GRTER that
he could gain access to the room by entering the door to the
right of' the main door s GRIER turned and entered thie door ,
proceeded to a kitchen area and entered the press room fror a
rear or side entrance_ He remained there for an unrecalled period
0f %ine GRTER thought that it Vas strange that te main
entrance was guarded a person could pass through the
kitchen and enter the rear or eide door of' the press room
without being stopped
After C ompleting his businesg in the press _ room
GRIER returned to :he KENNEDY suite on the fifth floor and
observed that the Senatox was preparing to g0 to the ballroom
to deliver his victory speech BARRY told GRIER tha t the
party would be leaving the suite and requested that he
9
GRIER ,
escort Mrs KENNEDY The party proceeded towards one
Eroup of' elevators on the fif'th floor and then towaxds a
second gr oup and finally the decision was ra de pres ulably by
PA RRY to take the freight elevator instead of' the paseenger
elevator GRIER be lievee that thie e levator was chosen 8ince
the passenger elevatore were occupied_and the freight elevator
could accomodate the members of' KENNEDY ' s party At this
time the KENNEDY party consisted of' Senator KENNEDY ETHEL
KENNEDY JES SE UNRUHI
9
RAFER JOHNSON , BILL BARRY_
3
BIEL
or
FRANK DUTTON (phonetic) and GRTER Then the elevator doors
opened on the first floor , GRTER recognized that they were
in the kitchen or serving area of' the hotel BARRY was the
firet person off' the elerator and he wa s followed by two other
individuals
9
identities unrecalled
3
and they in turn were
followed by Senator KENNEDY , Mr s KENNEDY and GRIZR While
59
inf
yet
==================================================
Page 15
==================================================
3
LA 56-156
walking through the kitchen or serving kitchen area en route
to the ba llroon, Sena tor KENNEDY 8 topped and ehook hands with
several kitchen employees GRIER recallg that he saw five
or eix men dressed in white clothing who were presuma
kitchen workers Members of the KENNEDY party did not notice
that the Senator had stopped and were con tinuing towerde the
ballroom GRIER immediately told Mrg KENNEDY that the Sena tor
had left the group and he wa lked over to where Senator KENNEDY
wa : standing to act as his escort The Senator then turned
away from the kitchen employees and entered the Embassy Ba llroon
through the curtaing which separate the ballroom from the
kitchen area Senator KENNEDY immediately went onto the stage
In reference to the location of the stage and the
manner in which the group went onto the 8 tage
9
GRIER explained
that the stage was directly in front of the curtains and that
if the stage was viewed from the center of the ba llroom
9 Senator KENNEDY would ha ve entered the 8 tage on the right eide
Once on the stage_
9
Senator KENNEDY stood behind the podium,
JESSE UNRUH wa s standing to his right , Mrs KENNEDY wa s standing
to his left and elightly behind him GRIER wa8 stationed
behina Mrs KENNEDY and RAFER JOHNSON was 8 tanding near the
right side of the etage to prevent additional people from
joining the group
While Senator KENNEDY wa s speaking
2
BILL or FRANK
DUTTON (phonetic) who wa s one of the Sena tor 8 staff members ,
told GRIER that Sena tor KENNEDY would be eecorted from the
8 tage from the left side since preparationg had been made for
his movement through the crowd When Sena tor KENNEDY finighed
speaking, which GRIER recalled was shortly after Midnight_
9 BARRY and GRIER poeitioned themselves along side of him_
Everyone on stage wa8 aware the speech had ended and the crowd
began to move toward the left GRIER told BARRY that the
exit would be from the left side of the stage and BARRY said
m1 'ho' At thig time Sena tor KENNEDY moved to the rear of the
etage poesibly at BARRY ' € cuggestion and jumped to the floor
BARRY rema ined with Sena tox KENNEDY and GRIER assisted Mre KENNEDY
60
bly
==================================================
Page 16
==================================================
LA 56-156
to the floor When the group had left the etage
9
they
wa lked behind the curtain end proceeded to the right which
wa8 in the direction of the freight eleva tor which wa s used
previously GRIER could not see Sena tor KENNEDY at this time
but eince the crowd wa: moving in that direction he aesumed
Senator KENNEDY was in front of him GRIER was walking with
Mre KENNEDY and wae acting as her escort. GRIER explained
that regardlese of which eide of the stage KENNEDY left by
he would still ha ve to follow the original route in order to
reach the elevator :
GRIER walked approximately ten or fifteen feet into
the kitchen area when he heard two or three eounde which
resenbled the sounds of firecrackere He then saw the group
of people in front of hin scatter and observed a white ma le
S
tanding in the opening_ There were people on both eides of
this man and people were 8 tanding behind hin This individual
wa & holding
a black object in his right hand which regembled
8 gun The man held this object at waist level
9
his elbow
was bent and his forearm wa 8 parallel to the floor_ This man
wa 8 standing on the floor After observing this man , GRIER
moved to his right and went behind a piece of kitchen eguipient
probably a garbage container He then wa Lkred behind the
container to the opposite end and made his waj towards the man
who wa s holding the gun As he approached this individual , he
saw two other one of whom was BILL BARRY wrestling with
this individual The man still had the gun in his right hand
but he wa8 now pushed back onto the top of 3 raised counter
or table _ GRIER observed the gun being knocked from his hand
onto the table and a & this point turned and tried to locate
Senator KENNEDY When he refocused his attention on the man
who wa8 originally holding the weapon he noticed that this
person had retrieved hie gun and wa: holding it in his hand
At thiz instant GRIER wa s approximately 8ix feet from him and
noted that the individual 8 arm wa: extended outward to the
side with the gun held in the hand GEORGE PLIMPTON (phonetic)
wa8 now wres tling with thie individual and was trying to aseist
BILL BARRY in geizing the gun GRIER approached the group and
61
men ,
==================================================
Page 17
==================================================
5
LA 56-156
shouted "I'11 take the gun He then grabbed the man' 8
right hand and placed hig own hand ovex the hammer and
around the trigger housing_ He twisted the gun from his
hand and gained pogsession of the weapon GRIER kept the
gun in his right hand and immedia tely tightly gra this
individual around the lege He recalls that several other
people were holding thie man
Once the above individual wa € subdued
)
several
people came up and tried to punch and hit him GRIER
recalled that he was pushing theee other individuals awaj
and trying to protect his prisoner While holding this
individual he observed Sena tor KENNEDY lying on his back on
the floor approximately ten or twelve feet awaj GRTER could
see blood on the right side of Senator KENNEDY ' s head and
it appeared that he wa : wounded behind the ear He could not
observe any other blood on Senator KENNEDY 8 body He also
noted that a second white na le was also lying on his back near
Sena tor KENNEDY and heappeared to be bleeding from the left
side of his head GRIER noted that Senator KENNEDY 8 eyes were
partially open
9
however , he appeared to be in shack
GRIER continued to hold hig prigoner and the gun un-
til some unrecalled person asked GRIER for the weapon GRIER
refused to surrender the gun since he did not think it was
safe to give it to anyone at this time A few moments later
another pergon told hin to the gun to RAFER JOHNSON
GRIER handed JOHNSON the gun and maintained his hold on the
nlan until police officers arrived at the scene GRIER immediately
eurrendered this individual to the police officers
GRIER did not recall that the individual whon he
disarmed made any statemente whateoever while in his presence
GRIER described the gun which he seized as be ing a
dark colored revolver possibly black with a ehort barrel
He could not recall the chamber capacity of the revolver
nor did he know the caliber of this weapon It wa 8 GRIER 8
impression that this wa 8 an old , rather than a new , gun
62
sped
give
==================================================
Page 18
==================================================
6
CA 56-156
GRIER could not remember how many gun shots he
heard prior to the time he seized the revolver
9
however
9
he
is certain that no shots were fired while he was digarming
the assailant
GRIER stated that he ha8 seen photographs of
STRHAN BTSHARA SIRHAN in the newepapere and on television and
is certain that thig i8 the same individual whom he disarmed
and held for the police following the shooting of Sena tor
KENNEDY on June 5, 1968 .
GRIER wa s questioned a8 to whether he obgerved
SIRHAN BISHARA SIRHAN in the Arbassador Hotel during the
evening of June 4 or prior to the shooting and he
said that he had not seen him prior to the time that he
diearmed him GRIER was epecifically asked whether he
aw SIRHAN in the kitchen or serving kitchen area when Senator
KENIEDY walked from the eleva tor to the stage and he eaid he
did not obeerve him 2 t this time GRIER wa s asked whether
he observed anyone run from the serving kitchen after he
first heard the gun shots and he eaid that he did not recall
anyone leave the area GRIER wa s then a sked whether he
observed a
white female wearing a white dress with plaek polka
dots in the area when the shooting tookr place and said that
he did not see such a pereon
63
1968
==================================================
Page 19
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
Date
6/8/68
ROBERT ANTHONY TOIGO , Ellenwood Drive_
9
Los
Angeles_
9
CL 5-9739 , advised that he was pregent during the
asea88ination of Senator ROBERT F KENNEDY a8 a member of
the staff of State Senator ANTHONY C BEILENS ON
TOIGO advi ged that he arrived at the Ambassador
Hotel the evening of June 4 1968 in the company of
Senator and Mrs BEILENS ON and Mis8 BARBARA SHAW a fellow
staff member He related that approximately one half hour
subgequent to their arrival they entered theEmbassy Room
at approximately the same time that Senator KENNEDY began his
victory speech He related that due to the highly crowded
and uncomfortable conditions in the ballroom_
$
their party
decided to leave the auditorium and wait in a more comfort-
able area to view the departure of Senator KENNEDY and hif party
He advised that located themselvez in a corridor between
the ballroom and the kitchen_ TOGIO adviged that he was
standing in 8 corner with his back to the wall, a table to
his immediate right beyond which was located a doorway
leading to the ballroom He stated that he was facing a
partition which extends half way into the hallway , to the
right of which wa a table and to the left an ice machine _
He advised that, shortly thereafter, Sena tor KENNEDY
and his party passed directly in front of hin_ after which
his attention was directed to his right He stated that
a that time he heard two noises which he des cribed a8
ii ii pope believing them to be firecrackers He advised that
he iumediately turned to his left and observed what he could
i1 11 only describe as a blur of figures after which more shots
were fired and pereong began rushing past him to exit through
the door to his right He stated that he became concerned
for his pereonal welfare and jumped beneath che table which
was to his right He advised that, ghortly thereafter, the
shots subs ided and he removed himself from beneath the
table and was confronted by Senator BEILENSON who was
seriously concerned for the welfare of his wife TOIGO
advised BEILENS ON that it was his opinion that his wife
6/8/68
at Los Angeles CaliforniaFile # Los Angeles 56_156
On
64
SAs DANIEL R BRAINARD
by JANES M KELLOGGZDRBZxib Date dictated
6/8/68
contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI: It i8 the property of the FBI ad is loaned to
This document
your agency; it ad its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
5728
they
==================================================
Page 20
==================================================
2
LA 56-156
had left the room and he (TOIGo) climbed up on the table
to see if he could fina Mrs BEILENS ON in the surrounding
crowd TOIGO stated that while standing on the table
9
he recalled seeing several person engaged In some type of
struggle to his far left 8 man who had been shot in the
head lying on the floor to his immediate left
3
and
Senator KENNEDY lying on the floor in between He advised
that straight across the room was 8 man who appeared to
be a newsman who had apparently been shot in his s ide He
stated that this pereon was 8 tanding close to Mrs ETHEL
KENNEDY
9
who was attempting to reach her hueband
TOIGO stated that_
9
when he down from the
table_ the door to his right had been temporarily cloged
by individuals who Were &ttempting to keep others from
entering the room He stated that a8 soon a8 the door was
reopened
9
he and Senator BEILENSON departed the room
TOIGO advised that he had a very vague recollec-
tion of what he saw at the time the first shots rang out
and that it was imposeible for him to relate what he actually
8aw other then many pergons reacting in 3 generally confused
manner He explained that he was unable to furnish a more
detailed account of the incident a8 it took him completely
by surprise and several eeconds had passec before he realized
the full effects of what had transpired
TOIGO advised that he could not recall any
bpecific conversations or commands given subsequent to the
shooting other than general commands to rove back" He
stated that he wa: una ble to provide the names of any
additional persons who might possibly have been witnesses
to che above-described occurrence and reiterated that
the only persons presenc that he could identify were
Senator KENNEDY ETHEL KENNEDY
$
and previous ly named menbers
of Senator BEILENSON 8 party.
65
got
==================================================
Page 21
==================================================
LA 53-153
TOIGO stated that it waz difficult to judge the
size of the crowd in the kitchen area but feels that there
w ere approxinately 40 people pres ent at the time 0f the &hooting _
TOIGO advised that he did not recall seeing 3 fema le
dreseed in a white drees With black polla dot: in the kitchen
area TOIGO added that he did not See SIRHAN BLSHARA SIRHAN
before the shooting or at time and would not be able to
identify him a8 the ag8a88in_
66
any
==================================================
Page 22
==================================================
FD-302 (Rov. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
6/7/68
Date_
Celifornia State Senator ANTHONY C . BEILENSON
9
4551 Perkridge Road, advised that he arrived &t the Hotel
Ambaggador , 10g Angeles, Californie , on June 5, 1968 , shortly
before the end of Senator ROBERT F
0'
KEWYEDY' $ speech after
being the apparent winner o€ the California Democratic Presiders
tial Primarye
Senator BETLENSON edvised thet he &nd h1g wife
renained only a
short period of {Cime in the ballroom Mhere
Senator KENYEDY wes Speaking inagmuch as they found it too
cronded, hot &nd unconfortable
0
returred to the kitchen
passageway
8
tioned themselves in Such 4, pobition 88 to te
able to see Senator KXEDY and hig party as they came cut 0f
the hallo Senetor BEILENSON stated that efter seeing Senator
KENNEDY Velk by he turned hig heed in the opposite direction
to Sea {€ he could see Sone 0f his Erierds, He heard popping
poise8 btit assumed that these Were balloons poppinga He never
8av Senator KENNEDY or the assailant and wa8 unable to furnish
any information concerning aryone else he might heve noted in
that erez ,
On
6/6/68
al_
Sacramenco
9
California
File #_
62-75
SA NORMAN P LZ CLAAIR:il 6/7/68
by_ Date dictated
This document contoins neither recommendolions nor conclusions: of Ihe FBI. It is the properly of Ihe FBI ond Is loaned Io Your agency;
il ond ils confenls ore nof to be disiribuled oulside ogency_
Zhey
posi
Your
==================================================
Page 23
==================================================
FD.302 (Rov 4.15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
6/7/68
Date_
Nz8_
0
DOLORES BELLENSON , 6551 Ferkridge Road, edvised
thai 0n Jiuxe 5
0
1963 , she &nd Ixez husband, Scate Senator
AIYZEIONY C BECLEESON , errived &t the Kotel.Aabassador, Ios
Engeles
X
Califoznia
8
wheze Sonator ROBERT @ EEZZEDY wes
meking a speech after being the apparent Winer in the Cal
g
1fornin Denocratie Presidential Primaly 0 arrived shortly
before the tezmination of Senotor KENMEUY' 8 speech and went
to the ballroom where he Ias speakingo It Tas ton czorced ,
holever , and they left afrer remoining there only 2 short
period of {ime and returied to tke kitchen peseageway
tioned rhemselves in tke segemey 80 28 tO bz able to
Bee Senator and be &ble to grcot friends 28 Ctze out
9
MrS 0 BEILENSON gtated thet &frer Senator KINMYEDY
passed her' she turned her head back t0 see #8 she would Be
able to see Hrg. EiE KENNEDX She did not sea Hc:. KERREDY
and turned her head bck i4 a directlon Whera Senator KIZNNEDY
would heve reached at thox tinee At the 8am8 inatent she
turned hez head, slie did not obrerte Serator KENNEDY but
instentaneousky observed three fleshes emanating from 8 gun
thici1 appeared io b2 held e% Maisi Ievel a MeJ she descriked
85 leing of short steture, slim? 25 *o 30 yeers 0f &ge, darlc
coloring, eppearing to b2 0f Mezicen fmertcor extrectiong Bt
this Doint she elg0 heard chree popping h0ise8. She does not
recall the arm keing extended_
0
She sated tiat she 1a} $ appro<
xinately 20 {ect eway from the man hol the Saw? &nd that sha
could see xhe men from lais mid-thigh ipe She could not recall
wha t obscured ber vibion 08 tke rest 0f the m2l c She added
that there Wzl$ 12 ore inthe inmediata vicinity 0f che man, Sie
coula not sc@ Senator RENEDI 8t chis point_ Upon hearing
addiiional shots, she immediately left he area,
Due to the faci that her observetion 02 the gunman
1a& Tonentar_ she docs rot believe slie cculd posiiively
identizy_ She doas nor E2228315G81, 222213
T7
else_in_Perti_
5
ics ~tHa Virfforiza lenhed 378 Eio #zfende
68
On 646163
Caf Secrananto;California File #_
62.76
S4 FORMN > L% CLAIR {1 6/7/68
by Dale clictated
This documen} conlqins neilhor recommendolions nor conclusions 0f Ihe FBI: II is Ihc properly of Ihe FBI ond Is looned lo Your ogency;
il.ond ils conlents ore nol lo bo distribuled oulside Your agency.
They
They
posi- pas:
the they
by
ding
Yy:
18q
==================================================
Page 24
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64 )
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
1 June 12,
Date
Or2 June 11
9
FRANK J_ BURNS
9
JR_ was interviewed
at the Aubassador Hotel where BURNS reenacted hi8 position in
the kitchen area of the Enbassy Ballroom at time Senator KENNEDY
was shot
On June 12, BURNS furnished the following sunmary
explaining what he saw and did during the pertinent time just
prior to and after Senator KENNEDY was shot _
BURNS stated this memorandum was dictated t? his
secretary_ In addition to above BURNS stated that he could not
recall seeing SIRHAN SIRHAN prior to SIRHAN SIRHAN' 8 moving
across in {ront of hil toward Senator KENNEDY at which time
BURNS began struggling with SIRHAN SIRHAN .
BURNS stated while on the platform standing behind
Senator KENNEDY during the Senator S speech, he seems to recall
1 overhearing bits and pieces of conversation in which a decision
was being made whether to take the Senator to the Ambassador
Room Or the P-ess Room because of the late houz
5/11/68, Los Angeles , California LA 56-155
On 6/12/68 at 69 File #
SA RICHARD C BURRIS/mca 6/12/68
by Date dictated
Thig docunent containg neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are 'not to be distributed outside your agency.
1968
1968
1968
==================================================
Page 25
==================================================
McKENNA , BURNS AND BLAYLOCK
ATTORNEYS AT LAW JohN F McKENNA, JR, TELEPHONE 650 SoUth GRAND AVENUE FRANK J BURNS,JR, MADigon 4.8500
ROBERT J,BLAYLOck
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90017
name is Frank J_ Burns _ Jx I live at 11713
South Atkinson Avenue _ Inglewood , California telephone
number 756-8023 I am an attorney and my office is
located at 650 South Grand Avenue
1
Suite 600 , Los Angeles
90017 telephone number 624-8506
On June 4 1968 I arrived at the Ambassador Hotel
at approximately 7:00
P M. and went to the Presidential
Suite which was the headquarters for Speaker Unruh and
the Kennedy Campaign staff_ Between then and approximacely
11:00 P M. I was either in the Presidential Suite or
arouna the corner in the Royal Suite area which was
occupied by Senator Kennedy ana his staff
At approximately 11:00 P.M, I went downstairs to che
Embassy Room and talked to the various members of the
campaign staff who were manning the anchor desk which was
locatea to the right rear of the podium_ At approximately
11.30 P . M. we decided that it was time for Senator Kennedy
to come down and I went upstairs to him The crowa
was SO dense in the Embassy Room , that I went along the
passage way in back 0f the podium and through the kitchen ,
exiting into the lobby near the front desk
As I reached Senator Kennedy S room Speaker Unruh
was just coming out_ He told me that had decided
that Senator Kennedy woula wait a few more minutes before
coming down .
0
but that he = Speaker Unruh would go' down
ana talk to the crowd right away I lea Speaker Unruh
Mrs Unruh Jack Crose Speaker Unruh S Administrative
Assistant and perhaps one or two other people down to che
Embassy Room through the route that I had used to go
upstairs
Speaker Unruh then talked to the crowa for a few
minutes While Speaker Unruh was talking_ he told me
to get the' Senator to come down _ and I told Jack Crose
to go , upstairs and get him Stephen Smith_ Senacor Kennedy' s
brother-in-law was then introduced and spoke Eo the crovd
As he was
concluding, Senator Kennedy came into the roor
from the door immediately to the left Of the podium Jack
Crose later told me that he haa brought the Senator S party
down through the kitchen , the same way that we had come
before He also told ine that they had come tnis way
because Senator Kennedy did not want to try to fight through
the crowa in the Embassy Room
70
My
get
they
==================================================
Page 26
==================================================
Statement 0f Frank J , Burns_ Jr.
Page Two
As Senator Kennedy got
on the podium_ I was standing
a few steps back and to the right 0f che microphone and
as the members Of his party moved in, I stepped further
back to make way for Mrs Kennedy ana other people that
accompanied him down _ During most of his speech I was
standing at the rear of the podium and slightly to the
right of Senator Kennedy , near his press secretary, Frank
Mankiewicz
A pathway had been cleared to the right of the podium
leading toward the area where the anchor desk was located
When Senator Kennedy finished speaking_ he paused for a
moment and said a few words to sore people near the
microphones _ and then started to move to his right toward
the cleaxed paths I turned to my right and at that time
I heard a voice coming from my left rear saying that the
Senator was going the wrong way and that he shoula come
off the rear of the platform_ Senator Kennedy turned
around and passed directly in front of me to go off the
rear 0f the platform. I turned to my left and saw a man
in a tuxedo _ holding the curtains back and beckoning to
the Senator to follow him, This man stepped down into the
anteroom and Senator Kennedy followed him
0
I followed
Senator Kennedy
The man went out the door at the back of the anteroom ,
and turnea to the right and headea down the incline with
Senator Kennedy close behina him When I came out of the
doorway and turned to the right to head down the incline
the man in the tuxedo leading Senator Kennedy was perhaps
10 feet in front 0f me ana moving quite fast They passed
into the kitchen through the left hana door which was open .
At aboux that time I yelled to s low down because they were
getting ahead of everyone I also started to move faster in
order to catch up with the Senator During this time I
noticed a number of people in the area , but I am unable {o
positively identify any of them My eyes were constantly
on the Senator as I was trying to attract his attention
As I passed into the kitchen _ it seemed to me that
there were quite a number of in front of the Senator
and moving generally in the same direction he was As
Senator Kennedy approached the area of the serving tables ,
two people moved toward him The one nearest the serving
table was very short and the other one was about medium
height both appeared to be aressed in white kitchen
jackets The Senator stopped and turned to his left to
shake hands with them I would judge that he turned
slightly more Lhan 909 from his original direction 0f travel.
It was when he stopped to shake hands that I caught up with
him and got perhaps a half step in front of him . I also
turned to my left and was facing in the same direction as
the Senator It was a this moment tha I heard a noise FJ6
71
people
They
==================================================
Page 27
==================================================
Statement of Frank J , Burns , Jr 0
Page Three_
sounding like 2 string of fire crackers going off
I immediately turned my head to the right. I
have an impression of people standing there bu€ I wou ld
not be able to positively identify anyone The one clear
impression I have is of an extended arm holding
a gun
This arm appeared to be next to the serving table and
the gun wou ld be about even with the front edge of the
serving table The axm dia not appear to me to belong
to anyone I immediately glanced to my left toward the
Senator and he was falling backwara He had thrown his
hands up ana his body appeared to be spinning to the
left I looked back toward the gun and by then the
person holding the gun had stepped forward past the edge
0f the serving table So that he was directly in front 0f
me He was aiming the gun down towara Senator Kennedy' s
falling body , and appeared to be shooting at him_ My
impression is chat che noise of the gunfire had ceased
by then
This is the first time I recall seeing the person
later identified as Sirhan Sirhan At that time somebody
grabbed Sirhan from behind Someone else appeared to
grab his gun arm and I grabbed him from the side The
struggle then became very confused and we rotated around
several times moving down the line of the serving counter
in the direction that Senator Kennedy had originally been
trave ling_ The entire situation was chaotic ana 1 have
only vague impressions of the people who wer e wrestling
with the assassin at that time The next thing I remember
clearly is Bill Barry coming up and plunging into the knot
of people_ yelling for a rope SO that we cou ld tie him
up . I remember taking off my belt and handing it to
Barry and bending' down to grab the assassin' 8 legs SO as
to get him off his feet_ I believe that Barry then lefx
ana after further struggle the assassin was more or
less wrestled onto the top of the serving cables
During the course of the struggle my vision had
momentarily come to rest upon the area where Senator
Kennedy had fallen on several occasions The first time
I noticed_ it appeared &hat he was lying on his back ana
no one was near him_ The next time I looked I could
haraly see him because there was a dense group of_people
around him and the thira time I noticed_ the crowd had
been cleared back and he was on his back and someone had
opened the front of his shirto Everyone was screaming
and yelling for a doctor
72
==================================================
Page 28
==================================================
Statement of Frank J_ Burns , Jr
0 Bage Four_
0
The assassin was being firmly held on the table_ ana
I let go and ran to the entrance of what I think is called
the Colonial Room to see if either a doctor or
the police
were coming that way Then I ran into the passage way
between the Colonial Room ana the Embassy Room _ Some
people from the hotel and some uniformed security guards
had blocked off the passage way 1 asked someone there
if a doctor the police and an ambulance had been called_
He assured me that they had and that they were on their
way . I ran back into the kitchen and as I did, I noticed
that Mrs Kennedy and Jean Smith were knee ling beside
Senator Kennedy.
I believe I then jumped up on the serving counter {o
see where the gun was A number of people were holding
the assassin the most prominent being Roosevelt Grier
I looked down and noticed the gun in Grier S hana _ and we
exchanged words to the effect that Grier would| hang onto
the gun I then jumped off the table and went around to
the other side because it appeared that the people that
had Sixhan S head were trying to pull it off, He was on
his back with his head and upper back off the edge of
the table ana I was afraid they would push down and brealr
his back Grier was leaning across his hips holding him
firmly on the table The only other person chat I
remember clearly is someone in a tuxedo with blona hair_
0
who had ahold of the assassin S head 1 was trying to
tell them to be careful but no one: was paying any
attention
About that time. Jess Unruh jumped up onto the top
of the table ana leaned over Sirhan ana scarted yelling
that he should be kept alive because he shoula stand trial
Unruh was pulling the people off Sirhan and yelling for
the police The police came up to us from the direction
where Senator Kennedy was lying The officers took ahold
of the suspect and handcuffed his hands behind his backc .
Roosevelt Grier was bent over crying_ and I remember
raising his face up ana asking him where the gun was Re
said he had given it to Rafer Johnson I told this to one
0f the officers
Unruh then jumped off the cable and told che officers
to get the suspect out of thexe before he was killed I
led the officers into the Colonial RoOm through the doors
from the kitchen _
1
and then out the main entrance of che
73
I
==================================================
Page 29
==================================================
Statement of Frank J _ Burns , Jr
Page Five
0
Colonial Room into the lobby _ There were five or 'six
officers with us and I led them through the lobby, down
the stairway and out the main entrance We were mnoving
very fast and no one was trying to stop us As we
started out the main entrance there was a police car
parked there with its right front door open There was
quite a crowa of people particularly to my right hand
side ana when saw us coming out with the suspect, they
started scre aming and surging forwara The officelrs
pushed the suspect in the back seat and Unruh jumped in
the front seat and yelled for the officers to get out 0f
there At this time I was struggling with some people by
the right front door of the police
car who were trying
to get to the prisoner , s0 I shoved the door shut and che
police car took off
DATED : June 12 , 1968
LJUA
FRANK j BURNS JRIc
74
they
==================================================
Page 30
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date
6/11/68
THANE EUGENE CESAR
9
1852 Morley
9
Simi
9
California
was interviewed at his place of employment
9
Lockheed Aircraft
Corporation
9
Burbank, California
CESAR advised he is emp loyed on a part-time ba8is
by the Ace Guard Service, 8720 Woodley Avenue , Sepulveda
5
California CESAR stated in connection with this employent ,
he was assigned a8 a to the Ambassador Hotel on the
evening of June 4 ,
ig88ard
CESAR stated he arrived for work at the Ambassador Hotel
that evening at 6:05 P . m and was a88igned to the Enbassy
Room for most Of the evening_ CESAR stated his main function
during the early part 0f the evening was to patrol the entrance
to the Embassy Room
9
control drunks break up fights
9
and to
keep young children from sneaking into the Embassy Room
About 10:50 P m the Embassy Room was becoming 80
crowded that CESAR
9
at the request of the Los Angeles Fire
Department
9 was a88 igned to the kitchen area behind the
Embassy Room CESAR stated his function at that point was
to restrict_people from entering the Emhassy Room from the
kitchen
9
allowing admittance to KENNEDY staff members
and members of the working press CESAR stated that it was
nearly impossible to control people entering the room since
false press badges and staff buttons were prevalent CESAR
stated he noticed no one in the kitchen who was not wearing
a 'usiness suit and noticed no one loitering in a susnicious
manner
At 11:50 p .m 9
CESAR was moved to the exit door
leading from the Embassy Room into the kitchen area by FREED A
MURPHY Security Guard, Ambassador Hotel CESAR stated at
this time he was informed by MURPHY the was for Senator
KENNEDY to leave the Embassy Room through this door after
malcing his Victory speech and proceed through the kitchen to
the Colonial Room where a press conference was scheduled to be
held At approximately 12:10 a m . , Senator KENNEDY emerged
from the Embassy Room into the corridor leading to the kitchen;
On 6/104/68 at Burhank_, California File # Los Angeles 56_155
SA S PETER LS REDBURN and
75
by J@HN M CALLAGHAN PLR:inkbie
Date dictated
6/11/68
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and it8 contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
only
plan
==================================================
Page 31
==================================================
LA 56-156
and CESAR , holding Senator KENNEDY ' s right arm and holding
the crowd back with his right hand , began to escort the
Senator through the crowd
As the Senator entered the kitchen from the corridor
9 approximately ten feet from a steam table , KENNEDY pulled
loose from CESAR 8 grasp and proceeded over to shake hands
with a busboy_ At this time
9
CESAR attenpted to stay as close
to KENNEDY as poss ible and at the same time
9
trylng to control
the crowd As KENNEDY was shaking hands with a busboy_
)
CESAR
looked up and suddenly saw a hand sticking out of the crowd
between two camera men and the hand was holding 8 gun CESAR
continued he was blinded by the brilliant lights and could not
see the face of the individual holding the gun Just as CESAR
started to move to jump on the gun , he saw the red flash come
from the muzzle At the same time
9
CESAR Was shoved by an
unknown individual
9
and the next thing he remembered he was
on the floor against the ice machine CESAR stated he was
approximately four feet from the gun when it went off and that
senator KENNEDY was approximately two feet from the gun
CESAR scrambled to his feet drew his gun , and
moved to the Senator At this time
9
CESAR stated there
were several men on of the a8sa88 in trying to get the
gun from his grasp CESAR stated he toolr a position next
to the Senator 8 body to protect him from further attack, and
about three minutes later was given orders by Ambassador
Security Guard MURPHY to to the Embassy Room d001*8
and keep the crowd out CESAR took hi8 position at the
Embassy Room door inside the Embassy Room and stayed there
until approximately 2:00 a m controlling the crowd
CESAR stated he did not see SIRHAN at all during
the evening and never saw anyone in the kitchen area that
was dressed in anything other than a suit except for one
television employee who turned out to be a
delivery man
76
top
get
==================================================
Page 32
==================================================
3
LA 56-156
CESAR estima wed there W ere approximately fifty
persons in rhe kitchen area at the time of Ghe shooting
This included kritchen
9
newgmen, and campa Lgn workers
CESAR recalled the room was in utter confuzion but there
appeared to be very little movement 9f people and he cannot
recall seeing anyone 3 ttempting 3o flee {rOl the roon CESAR
added he cannot recall seeing any female Wearing a white
drese with black polka docs
77
lelp
==================================================
Page 33
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64 )
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
Date 6714/68
ELMER M_ BOOMOWER was intervievied at hnis regidence,
12156 Collett Avenue , Granada Hllle, a sectijn Rf Uoe Angeleg
9 telephone 8.2-7124 He etated he 8 employed by the Ace Gua rd
Service 8720 Wobeley Avenue , Sepulvede
9
Califernia , teleph ne
5e4-5717 _
BOOMOWER related that on June 4, 1.68, he went t3
work at 6:03 p . m _ at the Ambageador Hotel He wa: a security
guard in the halJ Jutezde Senator ROBERT KENNEDY 8 8uite Thiie
Tas eeveral flo3r8 irom the area where Mr KENNEDY was shot
He etated that he viae et a pjst outeide Rojm 518_ which was
several do3re from the President . &l Suite where Senat)r KENNEDY
Kas a guest He coulc heax a television pregram concerning
the evente taking place _n the Embassy Roor cF the hstel and
{01 that way about 12:15 a m heard the news that Mr KENNEDY
had been sht He stated that a lmost Imediately JOHN GLENN
wh) wa s in the KENNEDY euite left that place and immediately
xent downstairs Sojle rime
iater
2
Jn )rders ir3m the Securty
Offi 8 3f the hjtel, he reported tj the Guarc Room on the fire8
flor and st1l1 laer made a check Jf the ballro m and other
placee on the firet flcur checling hotel property and tv help
calm do wn the gueste and Vieitjrs
BOOHOWER etated he did not see anyone resembl-ng
SIRHAN S IRHAN He said he has 8een SIRHAN 8
photo-
graph in the newspapers _
6/;/68 Los Angele: Califern-Pile # Los Angelee 56-156
On at
78
Sk CARL R CHLATTER/ <le
Date dictated
6/12/63
by
This containg neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI: It is the property of the FBI and i8 loaned to
document
your agency; it and it8 contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
==================================================
Page 34
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64 )
FEDERAL BUREAU' OF INVESTIGA TION
Date
6[13/68
HAROLD L. BURBA 20503 Osage Avenue , Torrance ,
California (phone
371-2966)
9
advised that he ie employed by
the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and i8 assigned to
LAFD Headquarters 217 South Hill 8treet , where he can be
reached at MA
8-8161,
Extengion 327 _
BURBA advised that he desired to furnish the
following information which is in addition to information
furnished by him 01
June 6, 1968.
On the night of June 4
9
1968
9
BURBA was on official
duty at the Ambaseador Hotel to photograph fire hazards 4t
the time BURBA estima tes to have been approximately midnight
5
he wa8 sitting in the hall which runs a long the north side of
the Eabassy Room at which time he obgerved Senator ROBERT F .
KENNEDY and hi8 part pags where he was sitting_ were
wa lking down the corridor in a westerly direction_ The
Sena tor paesed out of' BURBA S sight anc he assumed that
KENNEDY entered the Embasey Room BURBA noted that he feels
that he is unable to an accurate estimate or te number
people in the party who pasged him, but feels that the
number did not exceed fifteen persons
As the party paeged_
9
BURBA recalls seeing several
stra gglers but cannot recall exactly how many
2
inasmuch as
at that time he did not note each 0z the individuale following
the party . He does recall
9
however seeing one white ma le
with dark complexion who was among the 8 tragglers After
11 viewing the tographs in the Angeles Times on June 5,
1968
2
BURBA believes tha € thig particular individual was
SIRHAN BISHARA SIRHAN _ When he observed SIRHAN a mong the
etra 'gglers it was due to the fact that STRHAN appeared to turn
his head from side to side as 1f paying unusual a ttention
to the surroundings . At that time
9
SIRHAN wa carrying 8
rolled up poster in both hands The rolled poster appeared
to be about two feet long and two (2) to three (3) inches in
diameter_ BURBA noted that inasmuch as SIRHAN carried the
poster with both hands he feels tha t SIRHAN ha& nothing else
In his handsalthough heig unable to ~tate Ts a certain
On 6/12/68 at Los_Angele s , CaliforniaFile # LeeAngeles 56-156
79
by ~SA TRVIN B, TEEELS, Help/rem Date dictated 6413/68
Thig document containg neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI: It is the property of the FBI ad is loaned to
your agency; it and itg contents are not to be distributed outside your agency_
They
give
08
"Iog pho
==================================================
Page 35
==================================================
2
CA 56-156
fact_ BURBA pointed out
9
however , that he feels positive
that had SIRHAN had an object tae size of a hand gun in either
hand , he would surely have noticed it. BURBA a Lso pointed
out that he estimates that when he observed SIRHAN
9
he was
about thirty (30) to tirty-five (35) feet awaj .
BURBA stated that he is unable to say whether or
not SIRHAN was with anybody else, but explained that he doee
not have the impression that SIRHAN was accompanied by any
other pereong He feel: that he wa s a single individual with
the group of 8 tragglers _ He noted that he saw absolutely
nothing to indicate that SIRHAN was with another person
BURBA further pointed out that this wa s the , only time he
observed STRHAN during the entire evening_
BURBA explained that he later became aware that
Sena tor KENNEDY had completed hig acceptance speech and left
the Embassy Room through the rear anteroom giving access to
the same corridor he had walked through when heading toward
the Embassy Room _ He is unable to 2stimate the time at thie
point_
9
although he did become aware that the Senator and
the party were walking eastward along the corridor_
9
and he
became aware that KENNEDY had been shot
After BURBA became aware that the Sena tor had been
shot, he made his way down the ha 11 toward where the shooting
occurred , from his position toward the Colonial Room where
the temporary press room ws set up Although he could not
see Sena tor KENNEDY
2
he observed a poster being held in the
air above the crowd as if to prevent its being crushed _ He
noted
9
however , that although the poster appeared similar
9
n8
cannot say for sure that it wa: the same poster which he had
obgerved earlier in SIRHAN 8 hands He also explained that
his view was obstructed and advised thak he could not see who
was holding the poster above the crowd_
BURBA concluded by stating that , to the best of his
knowledge
9
he cannot recell any other event that he observed
which might now be pertinent in view of the current investi-
getion being conducted .
80
==================================================
Page 36
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
Date -64/124/68
CAESER: CHA VEZ Director
9
United Farm Workere Organ-
izing Committee, AFL office address 102 Albany Street ,
Delano, California, mailing address , Post Office Box 130 ,
Delano, California wa8 interviewed in Roon number 6, of the
Travelodge Motel,
'Indio,
California, at which time he furnighed
the following information:
Mr CHAVEZ last saw and personally talked with Senator
ROBERT F KENNEDY in March, 1968.
On the evening of' June 4 , 1963
9
Mr CHA VEZ was going to
see ROBERT F KENNEDY and after the polle closed CHAVEZ left
United Farm Workers Organizing Committee Headquarters , 806 East-
man, Los Angelee
9
California, with Father LUCE of' the east
side parish of the Episcopal Church Mr CHA VEZ arrived at the
Anbaseador Hotel with Father LUCE , 200 workers fron his organi-
zation and a Mariachi Band
Mr CHAVEZ stayed at the Ambaggador Hotel approxi- 5
mately one hour leaving at about ll:00 p .ml without seeing
Senator ROBERT F KENNEDY He left a8 his wife had not been
able to c ome to the affair and he wias feeling tired due to a back
injury Prior to leaving, Mr CHAVEZ told one Of his as8oc iates
RUDY AMADA to tell the others he had left
Mr CHA VEZ departed with Fathere LUCE and GARBER of'
the Episc Church and they took him by his hone where they
picked up Mrs CHAVEZ and then proceeded to the eastside canpaign
headquarters for RICHARD CA LDERON , a candidate for State Senate
CHA VEZ was there approxinately ten or fifteen minute e when
Senator ROBERT KENNEDY cane on television and gave his victory
speech_ Mr CHAVEZ watched this epeech with his wife, HELEN
CHAVEZ and the others at CA LDERON 8 campaign headquarters
CAESER CHAVEZ stated that he had seen photographe of
SIRHAN SIRHAN in the newspaper and on television and did not lrnow
hin He did not See SIRHAN at the Ambassador Hotel_ He etated
he has had no argument_ with Senator ROBERT F KENNEDY
On 641168_ at Indios CaLifornia File # Los Angeles_ 56-156
81
by 8 THEQDORE_HTNDERAKERnb Date dictated 64/12/68
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it ad it8 contents are to be distributed outside your agency_
CIO,
opal
not
==================================================
Page 37
==================================================
2
IA 56-156
or the KENNEDY organization at any time He added he can
furnish no information regarding the shooting of Senator
KENNEDY
Mr CHAVEZ stated that on June 10 1968, while stop-
ping at his union headquarters in Los
Angeies
at 806 Eastran
one BILL CHANDLER commented that he (CHANDLER) knew SIRHAN SIRHAN
or had gone to school with him in Pasadena California BILL
CHANDLER is affiliated with CHAVEZ in his
iabor
movement and
was at the Ambassador Hotel on the night ROBERT F KENNEDY was
shot CHANDLER resides at 2827 Winters , Los Ange= California,
phone 262-5479
82
ies ,
==================================================
Page 38
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 6/8/68
LARRY J BECK appeared voluntarily at the Los
Ange les FBI Office ana furnished the following signed
state;ent:
Los Angeles , Calif-_
6-8-68
i6 I, Larry J . Beck, furnish the following
8igned statepent to Phillip B_ Deily
3
who hag
identified hineelf ae a Special Agent of the FBI
ii I res ide at Burne ide_
3
Apnt # 18
in Los Angeles In May of this year
J
I worked
fon about 8 weel and a half a8 a volunteer
worker for the Kennedy Organization in Rochester,
N _ Y_ I flew out o Los Ange les on
5-30-68 for
the purpose of visiting and geeking enploynent
Later that I contacted the Kennedy Headquar-
tere at 5615 Wilehire Blvd in Loe Angeles and
Iade arrangerente to be a volunteer carlpaign
worker for Senator Robert F Kennecy_
5
with my
expenges to be paid_
'i I worked thurs- and 8.11 Friday
at the Kennedy I worked again at Hq Saturday
rlorning and took the rest of the day off On
Sunday afternoon I was a88igned to the temporary
Hq at the Anbageador Hotel There was a party for
Senator Kennecy at the Ambassr Hotel Sunday evening
but I was unable to attend since ny duties took
nle elsewhere On Monday norning, June 3rd
$
I came
to Campaign at 6: A.M_ and obeerved a cleaning
crew of about three people I hac seen then at
the Hq previously on several occasions I worked
al1 at and returned the follow1ng morning
about the sane tie I observed the cleaning
crew again and noticed they had access to the"
On
6/8/58 atLos Angeles California File # Los Angeles 56_156
83
Y
by SA PHILLIP B DEILYIvah_ Date dictated 6/8/68_
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and it8 contents are .not to be distributed outgide your agency.
645
day
day day
Hq
45 Hq
day Hq
==================================================
Page 39
==================================================
2
LA 56-156
"offices_
9
rateriale and campaign papers I
I had sone conversation this particular morning
with Steve, one of the cleaning crew for
several minutes and we talked about how dirty
the Hq. had bec onle I had spoken with Steve
previous ly on one o1 two occas ions
"Steve was a male caucasian
9
abput 23
or 23 years old 5'5" with his cowboy boots on ,
125 to 140 lbs dark eyes and a pinply conplex-
ion He had
biack,
curley hair
9
worn long,
dark eyes and wore blue denin shirt and slacks
"I left canpaign Hq abou* 11:00 A.M_
9 6-4-68 and eventually got to the Anibassador
Hotel about 3 or 4 P.M_ in the afternoon I
was in the Enbassy Roorl at the tine of che
shooting shortly after nid-night but did not
see the actual &hooting of Senator Kennedy
I didn t see Steve of the cleaning crew around
the hotel that afcernoon prior to the &nooting
or after the shooting I spent the res t 6f the
night at the Hotel and saw a picture of Sirhan
Sirhan on TV later Wednesday
>
since he had been
accused of the shooting He Sirhan didn 't
appear to reserble Steve of the cleaning crew
then_ but later when I was int erviewed by the
Los Angeles Police Dept and shown three photo-
graphs of the nan charged with the shooting of
Senator Kennedy
9
Sirhan Sirhan I got the
inpression that Steve of the
cieaning
crew at
Canpaign and Sirhan were identical
IV 'During Ily conversations With Steve,
politics
was not dis cussed and he never cornnented
on how he felt abou% Senator Kennedy Generally
9 Kennedy was well regarded by the carpaign workers
but his frequent las t ninute plan changes irked
8 ome of the workers frequently Sone jealousy
existed between the carpaign secretaries and
the Kennedy girls because of things lile salaries , "I
84
Hq
==================================================
Page 40
==================================================
3
LA 56-156
"travel privileages and pos itions Phil Muller
full time worker at the Campaign told me
he was on LSD , pep pills and tranquilizere He
aleo told ne he had offered pille to 8 one of
the Kennedy girls Sone of the precinct chair-
ran were unhappy with the Campaign Hq becase
they were not getting their fair share of
election materials
"i do not know the last nane of Steve
of the cleaning crew mentioned above . I do not
know the man accused of the shooting, Sirhan
Sirhan
9
unless he and Steve are deternined to
be identical I do not have any personal
Irnowledge of the motives for the assassination
of Senator Kennedy
1i I have read this statenlent consisting
of this and four other pages
9
and find it to be
true to bes t of Iiy
Irnowledge`
"Larry J. Beck
(1 Witnessed :
Phillip B_ Deily
5
Speci al Agent_ FBI , 6/8/68
Los Angeles_
9
Calif
85
Hq
==================================================
Page 41
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
6/11/68
Date
WTLJ TE S PELJ, was interviewed 8 t his residence, 4515
Luiretcr Averue _ telaphone 665-4822_ He 8 ta ted he was working at
#hc Ambassador Hotel a8 a Security guard of the Jce Guard Service,
8720 Woodley Avenue
9
Sepulveda California telephone894-5717, on
the evenin; 0f June L4 1968- He began
woricing about 6;00 p.m_ and
;.fter cbout 2n hour and 3 ha l f' at one post Was sent to ihe
h: llw?y near +n2 Press Room and staved at that pos t unt1i
about, 3:j0 2 r on June 5, He edvised that his position
Taf between the Embassy Ballroor and the kitchen ar2a In order
to g0 from the ballroom to the Kitchen one had to go up S3me
s teps and around the corner .
BEIL advised that he first learned of the Shooting
when 8 woma; in 3 2ink dress came from the area of the kitellen
3jmetine shor-ly after midnight and sat on the s teps saying
shat Mr KENNEDY hed been shot A woman in a blue dress came
ip 8 hortly thereafter and sat on the steps also stating that
Mr KENNEDY had bzen shot . Shortly therearter he s t - ted he
6as buay tryirg to hold closed the doors leading fror the
Embass; Be llrcom to the kitchen area inasmuch as people were
attemp ting to g0 to the kitchen area to See what was happening.
BELL steted he did not hear any shots but at ore time
heerd 2 Voice whor he assumed to be 8 newspaper mar shout ,
gun is on re Take that gun if you have to break his
I fingers" and shortly thereafter another voice shouted twice,
"Kill him, ROSEY"
BELL edvised tha t before or after the shooting incident
8 ~ curred he did not S2e anvone who resembled the man who shot
Senator KENNEDY who was de8 cribed to him as wearing a greasy
pcir 3f blue jezns and 2 T-shirt He stated this deseription
Vias furnished to him by people coming from the kitehen area
whcre tke Senator hed been shot He sa id he observed 8
pnoto-
crpk: 3f SIRHAN S IRHAN later on television and in the newspapers ,
but hue 4id not recognize the phatogrephs as anyone he had 3een
2n she evening cf June 4 through 5, 1968.
On 6/9/68_
at
Los_Angeles
9
California File #Los Angeles 56-156
86
by SA CARL R SCHLATTER/sle/vjh 6/10/68
Date dictated
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusiong of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI &nd is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
'9
1963 _
"The
==================================================
Page 42
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA TION
6/11/68
Date
Mr GEORGE WILLIAM FULTON, 8322 ingford Dr ive,
Sun Valley, California
9
telephone RO 73545 advised that he
i8 curren tly employed a8 a stage manager for Nat ional
Br oadcast Corporation and has been employed by that
company for the past 16 years _
He stated that dur the even ing of June 4, 1968,
and early hours of June 5, 1368, he wa8 a88 igned to a televis ion
crew at the Ambassador Hotel handling interviews of California
Pr imary Election officials in the Gold Room which is a sma 11
side room juet off the Embassy Room _
He stated that he was working with RAY BRANNIGAN and
dur ing the victory speech by Senator ROBERT F KENNEDY , he
wa8 on the television ramp in front of the Gold Room and heard
the speech fror that posit ion_ After Senator KENNEDY finished
his speech and departed the ma in stage of the Embagsy Room,
some five or 8 ix minutes later he saw a W )man on that 8 ide
of the Embassy Room crying and observed someone give a 8 igna l
with his hand as if shooting a pistol int? the ceiling at
which time he realized something unusua 1 had occurred- He
8aid he did not hear any ehots and was not in the area of
the kitchen access hallwaj where he later learned KENNEDY
had been shot, but was on the oppos ite 8ide of the Embassy
Room He stated that of the hundrede of persons trying to
exit the Embassy Room, quite a few tried to cut through
the Gold Room but were turned away by NBC employee RAY BRANNIGAN
FULTON stated that 8ome three hours after the ghooting,
he and BRANNIGAN were interviewed by officers of the Los Angeles
Police Department, at which t ime BRANNIGAN recalled that a
man appearing to be of Mexican extraction wa8 trying to locate
his wife and had attempted to leave the Embassy Room through
the ma in door of the Gold Rooi . BRANNIGAN turned this man
bacl and 8 uggeeted that he leave the Embassy Room by the ma in
door and he headed in that direction Upon arriving &t the
ma in door of the Embasey Room, this man found that the doors
were tied off by a televis ion cable tied through the handles
He attempted to untie the doors but s omeone yelled to him,
"Leave them t ied _ Th 18 man then returned to the Gold Room_
dopr where pepple were Te Tng directed to Teave the room through
6/13/68 Sun Va lley, Ca ] ifornia
File #
Los Angeles 56-156
On at
SA RICHARD BUCARO : jmlr
Date dictated
6/10/68
by
contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBI and is loaned to
This document
agency; it and its contents are 'not to be distributed outside your agency.
Spr
ing
ing
your
==================================================
Page 43
==================================================
2
TA 56-156
the fire exii, located 10 the same wa 11 38 the Gold Room door
but to the sou th
Mr FULTON Cescribed this man a8 follows
Complexion Dark
Age 35 40 years
Height 5'72"
Weight 150 pounds
Hair Dark curly, pos8 wearing
3 mus tache
Clothing Dark suit with mhite 8hirt
and tie
He stated that he did not actually notice how thi8
man actually departed the Embassy Room and attached no
8ignificance
to him at the time as he appeared to be only a man trying to
out, more excited than anychi ng else, and seemed to be
frantic to locate his wife _
He s tated he did nor See S IRHAN S TRHAN whose
picture he has Seen on television and in the newspapers before,
during or after the shooting of Senator ROBERT F KENNEDY
88
ibly
get
==================================================
Page 44
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date
6/12/68
1
RICHARD AGLIIT ELINE , aJ.so I-nown a8 Dick Kline Public
Rel:'_ Jng Director
2
California Campaign for Senator ROBERT F_
KENNEDY , 5615 Wilehire Bouleverd, Los Angelee
9
California, home
addrees 15937 Miami
5
Pacific Paligades California telephone
nuaber GL 4_6380, advieed that on the
'evering
of June
4
9
1968
he Tos in the Enbazey Room of the Anbaggador Hotel, Los Angelee ,
California RICHARD KLINE etated that hig aeeignment was to run
11 MX the anchor deek , which coneieted of obtaining the election
returns frorl various areae 0f the State of California and
furnighing thig inforration to the preee RICHARD
KLINE etated
that in addition ta hingelf on the evening of June 4
9
he
aleo worked with PIERRE SALINGER and FRANK MANKTEWICZ _ RICHARD
MI KLTNE stated that the anchor deek wag located immediately
adjacent to the etage of the Embaeey Room where Senator ROBERT F
KENNEDY Iade hig speech on the evening of June 4, 1968 .
RICHARD KLINE als? stated that he was the individual
responeible for gelecting the Embagey Room of the Ambaggadox
Hotel for the eite of Senator ROBERT p KENNEDY 8 epeech on the
ev ening of June 44 , 1958. RICHARD KLINE etated that two rooms
in the Anbazador Hotel were eelected, one being the Embaeey
Rojri and the other room being one located below the Embaesy Room_
RICHARD KLINE stated that on the evening cf June 4 , 1968 _ the original
Tvag to only allow 700 people, the news media into the
Embasey Room
9
and the reet were scheduled to g0 to the roord
located below the Embaesy Room
RICHARD KLINE etated that on the evening of June 4 , 1968 _
) tbc echecule was for Senator KENNEDY to make hie epeech in the
Erbagey Room , then to g0 to the ballroom downstaire
9
end after
that for Senetor KENNEDY to meet with approxinately 20 eelected
newemen in a room on the fifth floor of the Arbaesador Hotel
RICHARC KLZNE etated thig original plan w82 not workable becauge
tke election returne vere delayed and the wa.2 modified 80
that efier Senatol KENTNEDY rade hie epeech he wag to g0 to the
balirocin downetaire , anc then 83 to the Coloniel Room of the
On
6/12/68 atLog elee , California Log Angeles 56-156
File #
89
SA MYRON M HTTCH /mlb 6/12/68
by Date dictated
This docunent contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It i8 the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
Way
1963
plsn plue
plan
Ang
==================================================
Page 45
==================================================
2
L 53-153
Ambageador Hotel to Leet with gelected newenlen _ RICHARD KLINE
stated that 3n stage_
9
aiter Senator KENNEDY had mede his speech ,
t/ie scnedule ~as agein modified for hin tz 3? t? the Colonial
Rvo:_ of the Anbazgadoz Hstel inmmediately after his speech t?
tal'- tz selected menbers 3f the news gec +a RICHARD KLINE stated
thal when Senator KETINELY left the 8 'tage he pereonally was at the
"anchor desk next to the etage, watching the television coverage
of the proceedings
RICHARD KLINC stated that after Senator KENNEDY had left
the < `&ge he heard eorie noieee , wh ich counced like firecrackere,
ar.k <hough he did not In?w ac tually whet had occurred
3
he
suepectec e3mle thing vas wrong, 83 he c Oinenced clearing the
pageage wajy located directly behind the staze_ RICHARD KLINE
: taed that ehortly thereafer, he heard the new? that Senator
KJNNBDY had been ehot , but he pereonally did not witnese any of
the ac iivities relating t? the chooting, and did not see the
alleged aseaeein SIRIIAN 3ISHARA SIRHAN In addition_
9
RICHARD
fLINE 2 tated that he Jid not notice any unusual activities onl
the evening jf June % 19.58 , or early morning of June 5, 1968,
and he could not
recail
any additional information which he
believed could be helpful in the inveetigation being conducted
by the FBI_
90
==================================================
Page 46
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
6/11/68
Date
TIMOTHY PAUL RICH , age 22 _
3
5501 South Acacia_
J te lephone O.X 5-5406 = employed a8 reporter
)
pnotographer
il and proofreader for the "Whittier Daily News 7037 Comstock
Avenue _
2
telephone o.X. 8-2571, was
interviewed
at his
residence
RICH stated that he had previous ly covered the
KENNEDY campaign at the Biltmore Hotel approximately six
weeks before He covered this campaign from the time
KENNEDY arrived at the Burbank Airport until the time KENNEDY
ma de his final speech at the Biltmore Hotel_ During this
time he took numerous photographs of KENNEDY and his
ca mpaigners
On the evening of June 4 1968 , RICH Went to the
Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles
9
arriving at approximate ly
11:00 p m He drove his 1964 Ford Ga laxie 500 and was
accompanied by his cousin WALTER GEORGE RICH
$
10812 East
Indiana Street Whittier_
9
Ca lifornia He parked his vehic le
on Tth Street behind the Ambassador Hotel, Wa lked across
the parking lot behind the Ambassador Hotel and entered
the building- They found themselves in the RAFFERTY
cempaign area and immediately began to look for the area
where KENNEDY would possibly make an appearance The first
pegple saW were the 'Kennedy Girls They began to
follow these Kennedy Girls and finally arrived at the
Embassy Room
They arrived at the Embassy Room approximately
45 minutes to an hour before KENNEDY made his speech The
Embassy Room wa8 very crowded containing numerous television
cameras news paper photographers campaigners and spectators
Severa 1 reporters were on the stage One section of the
room located to the righthand side of the stage , was roped
Jff and appeared to be crowded by KENNEDY supporters
RICH went to this area in an effort to locate a
'Kennedy Girl"
he had met during the previous campaign He identifled this
individual 88 ROTA HERTZBERG
9
who lives in West Lo8 Angeles
6/9/68 Whittier
9
California Los Ange les 56-156
On at File # 91
SA RICHARD P MTLLER/kaf 6/11/68
by Date dictated
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency_
they
==================================================
Page 47
==================================================
2
LA 56-156
To the right and behind the roped pff area was
an exit leading to a passageway which appeared to run behind
the stage in the Embassy Room _ As he attempted to look
into this passageway
9
an individua1
8
who apparently was
a KENNEDY campaigner_ told him that he was in the way
RICH left this area ; however_ before leaving he noticed
that the passageway running to the left apparently led
to a flight of s tairs which led to rooms on the floor beneath
If one went to the right in this passageway , they would enter
a doorway leading into an area which RICH subsequently
determined was the kitchen
RICH advised
that he looked into
this kitchen area ard noticed that there was a_ sma 11
i; anteroom which one had to g? through before entering
the main kitchen area In this anteroom were severa1 chairs
lining the Wa 11 - There Were several individuals in this
anteroom and the kitchen area ; however RICH took no
particular notice of any individual When asked 1f he had
noticed an individual which he cpuld now identify a8 SIRHAN
BLSHARA SIRHAN RICH advised that he had not taken notice
of ary
particular
individual who might resemk le SIRHAN,
RICH advised he returned to the Embassy Room
and whi le he was in the Embassy Room KENNEDY came onto
the stage and made a 8peech RICH watched the activitie8
through television monitors and occasionally made an effort
to see the stage through the crowd _ Standing nearby Was
his cousin WALIER RICH .
Toward what RICH felt was the end of KENNEDY 8
speech_ WAITER asked him 1f he was going to give KENNEDY
the pictures he had in a manila envelope RICH explained
that having previously covered the campaign and taken
numerous photographs of KENNEDY he had made 8 packet
of appropriate photographs ad_intended to give them to
the Senator 1f he had an opportunity RICH advised WALIER
that he did intend to give KENNEDY the packet and the two
of them made their way to the pagsageway behind the stage
While they were in the passageway an individual asked them
to out of the way The man extended his arms in an
effort to block people from coming into the passageway from
the Embassy Room RICH and WALTER extended their arms and
helped this individual form a line in front of which KENNEDY
could pass into the kitchen area
92
get
==================================================
Page 48
==================================================
3
LA 56-156
RICH stated he saw KENNEDY come down the passageway
toward the kitchen area At about that time the crowd Was pressing
80 hard behind him that he Was forced into the passageway He
decided that he would attempt to into the kitchen area to a void
the press of the crowd and as he entered the doorway to the kitchen
he noticed that KENNEDY simultaneously had entered the door intp the
anteroom area with him_
KENNEDY was walking faster than he and passed him
Ti by RICH called out "Senator Kennedy, Senator Kennedy and
received no response He again called to Senator KENNEDY and
at this time the Senator turned his head to look over his right
shoulder RICH handed the envelope to the Senator saying,
This is for you KENNEDY took the envelope and kept on
wa lking toward the main part of the kitchen RICH turned t?
g0 back the way he had come , at which time he heard three pops '
which sounded like a cap pistol At a lmost the same instant
he felt a shove from behind and immediately turned at which tine
he observed a man, whom he later determined to be PAUL SCHRADE ,
falling to the floor backwards He als? saw Senator KENNEDY
on the floor and noticed that blood was 1 all over the place
on the floor
3
a11 over PAUL SCHRADE , a na in particular under the
head of Senator KENNEDY
RICH advised he is not sure of exactly what
he saw or heard for a few seconds after that He definitely
did not see the individual who fired the shots or the
struggle over the gun Thich he subsequent Ly learned ensued
after the shots were fired
RICH adviged he does not recall hearing other
shots , although he is confident that there were more shots
fired because something_prompted hin to run He speculated
that he felt a gun battle was about to ensue and after seeing
KENNEDY on the floor he moved a8 rapidly a8 possible toward
the Embassy Room En route he saw one man sitting on the chair
at the side of the anteroom apparently shot
9
and Thile looking
through the doortay he noticed another man fall as if he had
been shot
93
get
==================================================
Page 49
==================================================
CA 56-156
While en route to the doorway he noticed his
cousin coming into the kitchen area; however he did not know
what hig cousin did until he arrived in the vicinity of a wall
outside the kitchen and noticed his cousin was right behind
him.
After about 30 seconds to a minute_
)
he then saw
that someone was closing the door to the kitchen and he
immediately moved back into the kitchen area He climbed
up on a me tal-top counter along the wall of the anteroom
in an effort to see what was going on Also on the counter
was a Negro female whoge identity he does not know RICH
advised he stayed on the counter while KENNEDY was being
removed from the room and observed the pandemonium going on
during the next 45 minutes to an hour_ He kept looking
for the envelope he had given to KENNEDY , but did not see
it after he had given it to the Senator.
94
5
==================================================
Page 50
==================================================
FD-3 02 (Rev. 4-15-64)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
1 6/11/68
Date
WALTER GEORGE RICH, 10812 East Indiana Street ,
Whittier
9
telephone 695-3040, advised that he is a student
at the University Jf Nevada and i8 home for summer vacation
On the evening Jf June 4
9
1968 he accompanied
his cjusin, TIMOTHY PAUL RICH, t? the Ambassador Hotel to
observe the activities pf the KENNEDY campaign- They
arrived at the Ambassador Hotel at approrimately 11.00 p.m_
They worked their way int? the Embassy Room
where had determined KENNEDY would possibly make an
appearance sometime during the" evening
While in the Embassy Roomg WALTER 8 cousin, TIMOTHY
2 went t? the area near the righthand side of the stage in order
t? determine where he might be able t? cloge enjugh to
Senator KENNEDY to hand him an envelope con taining phatographs
taken by TIMOTHY during KENNEDY ' s last campaign in California
While TIMOTHY was gone t? this area, WALIER remained in the
central part Jf the Embassy Room
TIMOTHY returned to WALTER shortly before Senator
KENNEDY arrived tj make his speech _ Thej both remained
in the Embassy Room where KENNEDY and other members 3f his
staff made speeches Shortly before KENNEDY finished his
speech
9
WALTER asked his cousin if he was gping t) give
KENNEDY the photographs to which TIMOTHY indicated in the
affirmative and made their wayy t3 a passageway at the
rear Jf the stage area
WALTER stated that behind the stage was a hallway
He did not know where the hallway Zed; if Jne went behina
the stage; however, if Jne went t3 the right MV they would
enter an area which he subsequently Learned was the kitchen _
6/9/68 Whittier, California Los Angeles 56-156
On at File #
SA RICHARD P MILLER/kaf 6/11/68
by Date dictated
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions_ofOH; FBI, It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to
your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency_
they
get
they