</s>LA 56-156 PAGE ELEVEN BALISTICS IF WAS DETERMINED TODAY THAT THE LAPD HAS NOT YET FINISHED THE BALISTICS EXAMINATION OF ALL OF THE BULLETS CONCERNED IN THIS MATTER. IT WAS ALSO DETERMIND FROM THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION DIVISION (SID) OF THE LAPD THAT A FORTH BULLET HAS ENERED THE RIGHT SHOULDER PAD OF SENATOR KENNEDY'S COAT AND HAD EXITED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BODY. THE VARIOUS TESTS CONDUCTED BY THE SID INDIGATE THAT THE POWDER TATTOO ON THE RIGHT EAR OF THE SENATOR WOULD INDICATE THAT TRE MOUZZLE OF THE WEAPON FIRING THE SHOT THAT ENTERED THE MASTOID AREA WAS MOST PROBALY SOME TWO INCHES AWAY. THE PATTERN TESES FOR NITRATE ON THE CLOTHING OF THE SENATOR WOLD INDICATIE, ACCORDING TO THE SID, PERSONNEL, THAT THE WEAPOR FIRING THIS SHOTS WAS MOS MOST PROBABLY WITHIN TWO INCHES TO SIX INCHESS. THE PROJECTILE RECOVERDED FROM FROM SENATIOR KENNENDY AND THE PROJECTILE RECOVERRED FROM IRA GOLDSTEIN AND A TEST SHOT FROM THE MURDER WEAPEON ARE ALL IDENTICAL, THE FULL DETAILS OF THE SID INVESTICATION WILL BE FURNISHED BUREAU WHEN THE REPORT IS COMPLETED. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details ballistic analysis of bullets recovered from Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) and IRA Goldstein, concluding they were identical. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Scientific Investigation Division (SID) determined a bullet entered RFK’s coat without contacting his body, with the weapon likely positioned two to six inches away. Nitrates on RFK’s clothing suggested proximity of two to six inches. A fourth bullet was found in RFK’s coat, exiting without touching him. The FBI and LAPD conducted interviews with witnesses, including campaign workers, hotel staff, and individuals connected to Sirhan Bishara SIRIAN, the suspect. Witnesses described Sirhan as a bitter individual critical of U.S. laws, education, and societal structures. His family members were interviewed for fingerprints, handwriting analysis, and background checks. The LAPD searched Sirhan’s residence, recovering items like ammunition receipts, photographs, and newspapers. Latent prints from a pan and ice box at the Ambassador Hotel were attempted but unsuccessful. Sirhan’s associates included Robert Ritchey, who noted his dislike for U.S. policies and his interest in race horses. Witnesses like Teresa Christinson described someone resembling Sirhan near RFK during the assassination. Alvin Clark reported Sirhan expressed intent to kill RFK days before the shooting. The investigation continued with efforts to locate individuals like Abdul Dabbas and Mustafa Sermain, though no direct links were confirmed.  

The document contains fragmented records from the RFK assassination investigation, including medical evaluations of Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, bank transaction details involving a check presented under his name, and investigative procedures by LAPD and FBI. It notes Sirhan’s physical injuries were not linked to prior incidents, describes a financial transaction at Crocker Dash Citizens National Bank in Pasadena on April 8 and 12, and includes witness accounts of events during RFK’s speech at the Ambassador Hotel. The LAPD established an investigative team for the RFK assassination case, assigning personnel including Lieutenant Al S. Hegge, Inspector John Powers, and Captain Hugh Brown. Sirhan’s employment history is detailed, including roles as a gardener, stockboy, and cadet, with descriptions of his behavior and political views from former employers. The FBI conducted handwriting analysis on a check endorsed by Sirhan and noted his alleged frustrations with U.S. foreign policy toward Israel. Witness statements describe the shooting incident, including interactions with an unidentified assailant and the handling of the weapon by Roosevelt Grier and Frank Burns. The investigation concluded no evidence linked Sirhan to conspirators or external involvement in the assassination.  

The document contains multiple entries related to the investigation into the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968. Ballistics reports indicate Kennedy was shot with a .22 caliber weapon, described as either a "long rifle hollow nose slug" or a "Mini Mag" (CCI) cartridge. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office reported three shots fired, while the LAPD noted the weapon as a .22 caliber CCI Mini Mag manufactured by Cascade Cartridge Inc. (now Oak Creek-CI Lewisville, Idaho). Ballistic examination reports were pending at the time. Sirhan Bishara Stirhan was identified as the accused, with details on his prosecution and legal proceedings. The Los Angeles County Bar Association assigned public defender Littlefield to represent Stirhan, who faced murder charges but could not afford counsel.  

The document also references statements by Mayor Sam Yorty of Los Angeles, who claimed identifying Stirhan as a non-Mexican-American or Cuban was necessary to prevent riots, similar to those following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. A confidential source noted a meeting of the Students Club, Western Section, Southern California District, Communist Party, where discussions about RFK's assassination occurred. FBI agents were present, and attendees were advised of their rights under federal law.  

Witness accounts describe the shooting sequence: Lewis Johnson reported Kennedy was shot from behind after exiting the Embassy Room via a freight elevator, with multiple gunshots heard. Jesus Perez confirmed seeing Stirhan fire a revolver at Kennedy during the event. Campaign plans for RFK's speech at the Ambassador Hotel included changes to his itinerary due to delays in election returns, with adjustments to his movement between rooms and meeting journalists.  

Key People  
- Robert F. Kennedy (Senator)  
- IRA Goldstein (victim of assassination)  
- Sirhan Bishara SIRIAN (suspect)  
- James K. Low (campaign worker)  
- Caesar Chavez (United Farm Workers organizer)  
- Booker Griffin (Negro Industrial and Economic Union director)  
- Teresa Christinson (hotel guest)  
- Robert Ritchey (roommate of Sirhan’s brother)  
- Barbara Khoury (relative of Sirhan)  
- Alvin Clark (trash collector, witness)  
- Abdul Dabbas (student at Pasadena City College)  
- John Strathman (linguist, associate of Sirhan)  
- Marcus L. Young (instructor at John Muir High School, involved with cadet corps)  
- Wayne J. Brantley (former friend of Sirhan)  
- William Beverage (former employer of Sirhan)  
- John H. Weidner (owner of Organic Dash, former employer of Sirhan)  
- Roosevelt Grier (witness to the shooting incident)  
- Frank Burns Jr. (attorney and witness to the shooting)  
- George Stoner (chief of Bureau of Investigation, DA’s office)  
- Walter Croke (interviewed by FBI, associated with communist groups)  
- Theodore R. Stevens (Master of Pasadena Rosicrucian Chapter, confirmed Stirhan attended a meeting on May 28 but not June 4)  
- Mickey Belfort, Max Stross, David Eugene Kates (allegedly linked to Nazi sympathies; no records found in Los Angeles files)  
- Richard Allen Kline (public relations director for RFK's California campaign, detailed event logistics and schedule changes)  

Key Locations  
- Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)  
- Pasadena City College  
- Hollywood Park Race Track  
- Coronado Ranch (California)  
- Cole Avenue (Pasadena)  
- East Howard Street (Pasadena)  
- Crocker Dash Citizens National Bank, Pasadena, California  
- John Muir High School, Pasadena, California  
- Organic Dash store, Pasadena, California  
- Long Beach Police Department records  
- Santa Ana High School, Orange County  
- El Monte Police Department  

Key Events  
- Ballistic analysis of bullets from RFK and Goldstein  
- Interviews with hotel staff, campaign workers, and witnesses at the Ambassador Hotel  
- Search of Sirhan’s residence for evidence  
- Latent print examination at the Ambassador Hotel  
- Witness accounts of Sirhan’s appearance and behavior near RFK  
- Background checks on Sirhan’s family and associates  
- Investigation into Sirhan’s alleged connections to Arab students and political views  
- Sirhan’s financial transaction at Crocker Dash Citizens National Bank on April 8 and 12, 1968  
- RFK’s speech at the Ambassador Hotel on June 4, 1968, during which he was shot  
- LAPD and FBI establishment of an investigative team for the RFK assassination case  
- Sirhan’s employment history, including roles as a gardener, stockboy, and cadet  
- Witness accounts of the shooting incident, including handling of the weapon by Roosevelt Grier and Frank Burns  
- FBI handwriting analysis on a check endorsed by Sirhan  
- Investigation conclusion that no evidence linked Sirhan to conspirators or external involvement  
- June 5, 1968: Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel  
- June 4, 1968: RFK’s speech at the Ambassador Hotel; witness accounts describe the shooting sequence and identification of Stirhan as the assailant  
- June 13, 1968: FBI report on Stirhan’s alleged Rosicrucian affiliations and correspondence with San Jose chapter members  
- May 28, 1968: Meeting of the Pasadena Rosicucian Chapter where Stirhan was present; no evidence linked him to the assassination  

Key Organizations  
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Scientific Investigation Division (SID)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- United Farm Workers Organizing Committee  
- Negro Industrial and Economic Union  
- Pasadena City College  
- International Club (Pasadena City College)  
- Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office  
- John Muir High School (cadet corps)  
- Organic Dash store (health foods business)  
- Los Angeles County Bar Association  
- Rosicrucian Order  
- Communist Party, Students Club, Western Section, Southern California District  
- Los Angeles County Jail

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-e_sec_001_ser_1--part_3_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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