</s>56-156 FLOPA BY DATE NDIPPER INDIPPER FBI-CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER COPPER INPUTER L'A -LOS ANGELES Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # DO NOT DESTROY. FOR FOR ASSASSINATIONS DO NOT RESTROY, FOR NOT DESTAOY. PRESENTED. FOR ASSESSINATIONS DO NOT DETROY. FOR ON DESTROY. DO NO.1/1200748 DO NOT DETROY DO NOT DESTROY DO NOT REMOVE. HISTID: 3A VALUE HISTORY: 2A. VALUE (F)TICN-AP ARCHIVES (F]TICNP-AP-ARCHIVES (RRP:003388V 4/10/2010 2025 RELEASE SADERED.O.

Summary  
The documents contain witness statements detailing the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Witnesses described their positions during the event, observations of the shooting sequence, and interactions with individuals involved. Key details include Kennedy’s movement through the Embassy Ballroom and kitchen area, the timing and nature of gunshots (described as firecrackers or rapid pops), and accounts of a suspect being subdued by security personnel. Physical descriptions of the suspect were noted by multiple witnesses, including height (5 feet 4 inches) and weight (130 pounds). Interviews were conducted by federal investigators in June 1968 and later released under Executive Order 14176.  

Key People  
- **Robert F. Kennedy**: Senator assassinated during the speech at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Paul Schrade**: Identified as the suspect involved in the struggle with Kennedy; described as male, 5 feet 4 inches tall, and 130 pounds by multiple witnesses.  
- **William G. Barry**: Security personnel for Kennedy; observed the suspect’s actions near the ice machine and provided a physical description of the suspect.  
- **Dick Drayne**: Staff member for Kennedy; reported being in the Colonial Room during the shooting and saw Kennedy injured.  
- **Bill Eppridge**: Photographer and staff member; was on stage behind Kennedy during his speech, heard gunshots, and took photographs of the scene.  
- **Jack Gallivan**: Advance man for Kennedy’s campaign; described a struggle with the suspect in the kitchen area.  
- **Virginia Guy**: Reporter for *Flair* magazine; was in the kitchen area following Kennedy and reported confusion about event details.  
- **Hugh McDonald**: Assistant press secretary to Kennedy; observed the suspect being subdued by others near the Colonial Room.  
- **Frank Handickevicz**: National Press Fellow for Kennedy’s campaign; detailed his position in the kitchen area and observed a struggle with the suspect.  
- **Fredy Plimpton (Mrs.)** and **George Plimpton**: Witnesses who described movements through the kitchen area, hearing gunshots, and observing a group struggling with the suspect.  
- **Warren Rogers**: Editor of *Look* magazine; witnessed the shooting from the Colonial Room and observed a struggle involving three or four men and Schrade.  
- **William Weisel**: Television producer; injured during the shooting, hospitalized for one week, and treated by Dr. Cantor.  
- **James Wilson**: CBS cameraman; captured footage of Kennedy falling after the second shot and described moving between Schrade and Kennedy’s body.  
- **Jules Witcobor**: Attendee at the event; observed rapid gunfire followed by a struggle involving four or five people in the kitchen area.  
- **Kristin Witker**: Witness near Schrade; described a sequence of shots, noted Schrade was hit in the head, and heard someone say, “Get the gun.”  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Site of Kennedy’s speech and assassination; specific areas include the Embassy Ballroom, Colonial Room, and kitchen area.  
- **Embassy Ballroom**: Where Kennedy delivered his speech before being shot.  
- **Colonial Room (Press Room)**: Location where Rogers, McDonald, and others were present during the event.  
- **Kitchen Area**: Central to multiple witness accounts; described as containing metal steam tables, an ice machine, and a corridor leading to the Embassy Ballroom.  

Key Events  
- **Senator Kennedy’s Speech**: Delivered in the Embassy Ballroom on June 5, 1968, followed by his exit through the back of the stage into the kitchen area.  
- **Shooting Sequence**: Multiple witnesses reported hearing gunshots (described as firecrackers or rapid pops) while in the kitchen area or adjacent rooms.  
- **Suspect Subduing**: Several individuals described a struggle with an unidentified suspect, who was eventually subdued by security personnel. Physical descriptions of the suspect were noted by some witnesses.  
- **Post-Shooting Actions**: Witnesses assisted the injured Kennedy, called for medical aid, and provided statements to investigators.  
- **Injuries and Hospitalization**: William Weisel was shot and hospitalized for approximately one week; treated by Dr. Cantor at Kaiser Hospital in Los Angeles.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews with witnesses as part of the investigation into the assassination.  
- **Ambassador Hotel Staff**: Included security personnel and press liaisons who were present during the event.  
- **National Press Fellowship**: Affiliated with Kennedy’s campaign, with members like Frank Handickevicz providing accounts of the incident.  
- **CBS**: Employed James Wilson as a cameraman; captured footage of the aftermath of the shooting.  
- **ABC News**: Associated with William Weisel’s television work.  
- **Kaiser Hospital, Los Angeles**: Where Weisel was treated after being injured.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-pdx_sec_001_ser_1-.pdf

Document Summary

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