</s>LA 56-156 SECTION I Los Angeles Report 6/9/68 Pages 1-27/4 SIRHAN BISHARA SIRHIAN CIVIL RIGHTS

Summary  
On June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot and killed at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, after delivering a victory speech in the Embassy Room. The assassination occurred as he exited through a kitchen entrance with his entourage. Sirhan Bishara, an unidentified assailant, fired multiple shots, critically wounding Kennedy and injuring five others. Kennedy was transported to Central Receiving Hospital and then to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he died of brain injuries at 1:44 AM on June 6, 1968. The FBI and LAPD investigated the incident, recovering a .22 caliber pistol with serial number H35275 from Sirhan Bishara’s room and his car, which contained purchases of bullets and other items. Sirhan Bishara was arrested, charged with murder and assault, and confined to Los Angeles County Jail under strict security. The investigation included interviews with witnesses such as ambulance drivers, hotel staff, and photographers, as well as examination of Sirhan Bishara’s statements indicating premeditated intent to kill Kennedy by June 5, 1968. During transport to Central Receiving Hospital, Kennedy was placed on a stretcher with assistance from a driver and a white male described as a handyman. Ambulance crew encountered congestion, and Mrs. Kennedy became confrontational, striking one responder and assaulting a photographer. Medical treatment included attempts to stabilize Kennedy’s breathing with an air mask, though he later died en route. Post-incident, the ambulance driver returned to the Ambassador Hotel to transport another injured individual. FBI agents interviewed witnesses, including hotel staff and photographers, and reviewed crime scene photographs and floor plans of the Ambassador Hotel provided by Frans Stalpers, Assistant Manager of the hotel. Medical records detailed Kennedy’s treatment at Central Receiving Hospital, including an ambulance call record (B 2058) and a death certificate issued on June 6, 1968. Autopsy procedures were discussed with the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.  

Key People  
- Robert F. Kennedy (victim)  
- Sirhan Bishara (assailant)  
- Elizabeth Evans (injured victim)  
- Irving Goldstein (injured victim)  
- Herman Schrade (injured victim)  
- William Weisel (injured victim)  
- Irwin Neil Stroll (injured victim)  
- Max Alma Behrmann (ambulance driver involved in transporting Kennedy)  
- Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy (confrontational during transport, assaulted a responder)  
- Dr. Bas (medical personnel at Central Receiving Hospital)  
- Frans Stalpers (Assistant Manager of the Ambassador Hotel, provided floor plans and location details)  
- Walter M. Brady (FBI agent involved in documenting the event)  

Key Locations  
- Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California (site of the assassination; Embassy Room and service kitchen area referenced)  
- Central Receiving Hospital, Los Angeles (where Kennedy was treated)  
- Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles (where Kennedy died)  
- Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office (handled death certificate and autopsy procedures)  

Key Events  
- Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968  
- Injuries to five individuals, including Mrs. Elizabeth Evans and others  
- Recovery of a .22 caliber pistol from Sirhan Bishara’s room and car  
- Arrest and confinement of Sirhan Bishara in Los Angeles County Jail  
- Transport of Kennedy to Central Receiving Hospital via ambulance with medical interventions attempted  
- Confrontation between Mrs. Kennedy and responders, including physical altercation and assault on a photographer  
- FBI investigation into the assassination, including interviews with witnesses and review of hotel layouts  
- Issuance of death certificate and autopsy procedures for Kennedy  
- Transportation of Kennedy’s body to New York City via a presidential jet  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (conducted interviews and documented evidence)  
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) (involved in incident response and investigation)  
- Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office (handled medical documentation and autopsy)  
- City of Los Angeles Ambulance Services (responded to the incident and transported victims)

RFK Declassified Files

166-12c-1_serial_1_section_1_56-la-156_la_report_6.9.68-part_1_of_4.pdf

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