</s>LA 56-156 JOS/rem INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGATION THAT SIRIHAN BISHARA SIRHAN WAS A STEADY CUSTOMER OF FILM DEPARTMENT AT LUCKY DISCOUNT STORE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, - 191 -

The documents detail FBI investigations into potential threats against Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) and related individuals in 1968. Sirhan Bishara Sirhan is central to the RFK assassination case, with allegations of purchasing film and ammunition at stores in Pasadena, California, and a gun shop in San Gabriel. Employees at Lucky Discount Store noted his frequent film purchases, while polygraph examinations of Larry Arnot (gun shop salesman) and Donna Herrick (gun shop owner) indicated deception regarding their interactions with Sirhan. Steve Schapiro’s photograph of RFK at Los Angeles International Airport was scrutinized for potential inclusion of Sirhan. In Texas, Joseph Willard "Pappy" Luke identified a man from a newspaper photo who allegedly discussed killing RFK at his restaurant in Raymond. Pernell Ezzell, investigated for claiming possession of money linked to MLK and RFK assassinations, denied involvement during an FBI interview but admitted alcoholism and memory gaps. Buddy Jensen was reported to have made remarks at the National Automobile Dealers Association conference in Miami Beach suggesting RFK’s assassination. James Mundell claimed proximity to RFK at the Ambassador Hotel during the shooting and later handed over his clothes to police. Donald D. Evangelista, a banquet waiter at the hotel, had employment records but no direct link to the investigation.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirhan**: Alleged customer at Lucky Discount Store; central figure in RFK assassination investigation.  
- **Margaret Scott** and **Robert Medina**: Employees at Lucky Discount Store who noted Sirhan’s film purchases.  
- **Larry Arnot** and **Donna Herrick**: Gun shop employees subjected to polygraph tests, with results indicating deception about interactions with Sirhan.  
- **Joseph Willard "Pappy" Luke**: Owner of Pappy's Stew House in Raymond, Texas; identified a man linked to RFK assassination discussions.  
- **Pernell Ezzell**: Allegedly claimed possession of money from MLK and RFK assassinations; interviewed by FBI in Shreveport, Louisiana.  
- **Frank Wetzel**: Former employer of Pernell Ezzell; received a call from Ezzell about alleged financial gains from assassinations.  
- **Fay Ezzell**: Wife of Pernell Ezzell; provided details about his alcoholism and marital history.  
- **Buddy Jensen**: Reported to have made remarks at the Miami Beach conference suggesting RFK’s assassination.  
- **Arthur Irwin** and **William J. Wilson**: Attendees at the National Automobile Dealers Association conference in Miami Beach, Florida.  
- **James W. Mundell**: Former priest claiming proximity to RFK during the Ambassador Hotel shooting.  
- **Donald D. Evangelista**: Extra banquet waiter at the Ambassador Hotel with employment records noted.  

Key Locations  
- **Lucky Discount Store (Pasadena, California)**: Site of Sirhan’s alleged film purchases and customer interactions.  
- **Lock, Stock 'N Barrel Gun Shop (San Gabriel, California)**: Alleged location of ammunition transactions linked to Sirhan.  
- **Los Angeles International Airport**: Location of the photographed encounter between RFK and an unidentified individual.  
- **Raymond, Texas**: Site of Pappy Luke’s restaurant where a suspect allegedly discussed killing RFK.  
- **Orlando, Florida**: Home of Pernell Ezzell; location of his employment and family residence.  
- **Shreveport, Louisiana**: Where Pernell Ezzell was interviewed by FBI agents.  
- **Miami Beach, Florida**: Site of the National Automobile Dealers Association conference where remarks about RFK’s assassination were allegedly made.  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles, California)**: Location of RFK’s assassination and subsequent hospital visit.  
- **Central Receiving Hospital (Los Angeles, California)**: Where RFK was taken after the shooting.  

Key Events  
- **Film Purchases at Lucky Discount Store**: Sirhan allegedly spent $10–$12 weekly on film and processing, with employees noting his expensive camera.  
- **Ammunition Purchase Allegations**: Larry Arnot initially claimed selling ammunition to Sirhan but failed a polygraph; Donna Herrick provided conflicting accounts of Sirhan’s visits.  
- **Polygraph Examinations**: Both Arnot and Herrick underwent tests, with results indicating deception regarding their statements about Sirhan.  
- **Photographic Investigation**: Steve Schapiro was questioned about a photograph potentially including Sirhan at the Los Angeles International Airport during RFK’s campaign.  
- **May 23, 1968**: Pappy Luke reported a man visiting his restaurant who discussed killing RFK; the individual was later identified via a newspaper photo.  
- **June 6, 1968**: Pernell Ezzell allegedly called Frank Wetzel in Orlando, Florida, claiming he had money from MLK and RFK assassinations.  
- **August 24–27, 1968**: FBI interviewed Pernell Ezzell in Shreveport, Louisiana; he denied involvement but admitted to alcoholism and memory gaps.  
- **May 1968**: Buddy Jensen reportedly made remarks at the National Automobile Dealers Association conference suggesting RFK would be killed.  
- **June 5, 1968**: RFK’s assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.  
- **Hospital Visit and Aftermath**: James Mundell claimed to have assisted RFK post-assassination and later handed over his clothes to police.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted polygraph examinations, interviews, and investigations into Sirhan, Ezzell, and others.  
- **National Automobile Dealers Association**: Hosted the Miami Beach conference where remarks about RFK’s assassination were allegedly made.  
- **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)**: Mentioned in Pernell Ezzell’s alleged claims about being on its payroll.  
- **Office of Security Investigations (OSI)**: Allegedly tied to Ezzell’s purported employment, though records refuted this.  
- **Kiwanis Club**: Affiliated with Buddy Jensen.  
- **Local 17, American Federation of Labor (CIO)**: Linked to Donald D. Evangelista’s employment records.

RFK Declassified Files

166-12c-1_serial_2_62_hq_587_section_1-la-report_10.10.68-part_5_of_7.pdf

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