</s>BU 62-587 SECTION II Los Angeles Report 8/7/68 Pages 300-608 SIRHAN BISHARA SIRHIAN CIVIL RIGHTS

Summary  
The document contains witness accounts from multiple individuals regarding events at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 4-5, 1968, related to Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s victory speech and subsequent assassination. Mrs. Tiffany Jonas described attempts to access the Embassy Room, observations of commotion in the Press Room and kitchen area, and a report of Erwin Stroll being shot. Donna Joseph recounted confusion after Kennedy entered the kitchen during his speech and hearing gunshots. John Rodman Justice observed a suspicious couple near the serving area, noting the man made a phone call before the shooting. Gabor Kadar detailed his infiltration of the Embassy Room via a cook’s uniform, witnessing the assassination from behind the pantry, and identifying Sirhan Bishara as the perpetrator. Arthur Kevin described hearing popping sounds and police response. Karen Klein confirmed her presence in the press room during the event. Henry Kokojan, an NBC cameraman, noted Kennedy exiting through a rear entrance without prior filming. Thomas Littlewood, a reporter, heard three shots around 12:15 AM and described chaos in the Colonial Room. Richard Lubic identified Sirhan Sirhan via media photographs as the individual with a gun near an ice machine. Augustus Mallard, a security guard, encountered a reporter attempting to access the hotel. Sherry Marks mentioned seeing newspaper photos of Sirhan Sirhan but no direct contact. James R. Menefield described chaos post-shooting, noting Kennedy’s head and a woman with blood on her head announcing the incident. Jack J. Merritti recounted witnessing a man holding a pistol and another individual with a wound. Pelicia Messurt and Mary Walen overheard an unknown man describe himself as white, 40-50 years old, 6 feet tall, dark-haired, wearing a maroon shirt. Sandra Mettetal detailed the Embassy Room setup and singers’ attire. Jeff Brent identified Ted Charach as a potential witness. Midge Morris reported a couple dressed in an out-of-place manner at the hotel. Albert Mosley claimed no unusual activity occurred on June 4, 1968 (likely a date error). Roger Mudd described his position during the speech and assisting Mrs. Kennedy through the crowd.  

Key People  
- **Mrs. Tiffany Jonas** (interviewed June 28, 1968)  
- **Donna Joseph** (interviewed July 8, 1968)  
- **John Rodman Justice** (interviewed June 19, 1968)  
- **Gabor Kadar** (interviewed July 10, 1968)  
- **Arthur Kevin** (interviewed June 26, 1968)  
- **Karen Klein** (interviewed June 13, 1968)  
- **Henry Kokojan** (NBC cameraman)  
- **Thomas Littlewood** (reporter)  
- **Richard Lubic** (television executive)  
- **Augustus Mallard** (security guard)  
- **Sherry Marks** (volunteer worker)  
- **James R. Menefield** (Compton for Kennedy Committee member)  
- **Jack J. Merritti** (security guard)  
- **Pelicia Messurt** and **Mary Walen** (overheard suspect description)  
- **Sandra Mettetal** (reporter)  
- **Jeff Brent** (Continental News employee)  
- **Midge Morris** (wife of John Morriss)  
- **Albert Mosley** (advertising director, Compton, California)  
- **Roger Mudd** (CBS reporter)  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Central location for Kennedy’s speech and events.  
- **Embassy Room**: Where Kennedy delivered his victory speech; described as extremely crowded.  
- **Press Room**: Observed by Mrs. Jonas and Karen Klein during the event.  
- **Kitchen Area** and **Corridor**: Pathways used by Kennedy and others, with reports of a suspect being subdued near an ice machine.  
- **Colonial Room**: Site of chaos following the shooting.  
- **Skyline Inn, Honolulu**: Mentioned in interviews related to JFK assassination investigation.  
- **Central Receiving Hospital**: Where Erwin Stroll was treated.  

Key Events  
- **Kennedy’s Victory Speech (June 4, 1968)**: Delivered at the Ambassador Hotel’s Embassy Room, attended by large crowds and media.  
- **Shooting Incident**: Three shots fired around 12:15 AM, leading to chaos as individuals fled the Colonial Room.  
- **Suspect Identification**: Richard Lubic later identified Sirhan Sirhan via media photographs as the individual with a gun near an ice machine; Gabor Kadar identified Sirhan Bishara as the perpetrator.  
- **Security Response**: Hotel staff and security personnel subdued the suspect, with Mallard noting a reporter’s attempt to access the hotel.  
- **Post-Shooting Chaos**: Witnesses reported crowds, confusion over identifying individuals involved, and discrepancies about Kennedy’s route.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and collected witness statements as part of the investigation into Kennedy’s assassination.  
- **NBC**: Provided footage and accounts from cameraman Henry Kokojan.  
- **Kennedy Campaign Committee (Los Angeles)**: Involved in organizing events and media coverage.  
- **Ambassador Hotel Staff and Security Personnel**: Documented interactions with individuals during the event.  
- **Continental Recordings**: Employed individuals like Jeff Brent and Louis Stephen Mooney, who were present at the hotel.  
- **Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)**: Involved Roger Mudd as a reporter.

RFK Declassified Files

166-12c-1_serial_2_62_hq_587_section_2-la-report_8.7.68-part_1_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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