</s>LA 56-156 no specifics whatsoever regarding any outstanding events, etc ., which might help him to furnish additional pertinent information. Mr. SMOONZ said that, on this date as usual, he attended the range alone. - 33 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI interviews conducted in June 1968 involving witnesses associated with the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club in Duarte, California, and the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The gun club interviews (June 1–17, 1968) focused on observations of individuals at rifle and pistol ranges, including descriptions of a man firing a .44 Magnum, two white males with .22 caliber rifles, and an individual resembling SIRHAN (likely Sirhan Sirhan). Witnesses such as Richard R. Steward, Marion Henry Stipp, James J. Thornbruch, Russell Doyle Weaver, and Claudia June Williams provided physical descriptions of the suspect, including dark curly hair, olive complexion, and height of 5'12"–5'13". The hotel interviews (June 11–14, 1968) involved employees of the Ambassador Hotel, where Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968. Witnesses described encounters with individuals resembling SIRHAN BISHARA STIRHMAN, including physical characteristics and movements around the hotel premises. Some interviewees mentioned seeing a photograph of the suspect or hearing commotion related to the assassination. No direct link between the gun club observations and RFK’s assassination was explicitly stated in these reports, though they are part of broader FBI investigations into potential threats.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Sirhan** (implied through descriptions in multiple reports)  
- **Richard R. Steward** (witness at San Gabriel Valley Gun Club on June 17, 1968)  
- **Marion Henry Stipp** (visitor to the gun club on June 1, 1968)  
- **James J. Thornbruch** (witness who identified SIRHAN after viewing photographs on June 4, 1968)  
- **Russell Doyle Weaver** (witness at the gun club on June 12, 1968)  
- **Claudia June Williams** (barmaid and gun club visitor on June 4, 1968)  
- **Reatha Jean Abston**, **Hossin Nader Achtchiti**, **Alenie Ackерly**, **Andres A’idminutto**, **Donald W. Aldrich**, **Robert Dewey Alfeld**, **Antonio Anguiliano**, **Juan M. Anguiliano**, **Victor Zaldevar Arrevillaga** (hotel employees interviewed after RFK’s assassination)  
- **James Henry Arrietta**, **Salvador Becerra**, **Prodromos Begakis**, **Failah Ben-Jabr**, **Joseph A. Bererras**, **Leonard Scott Blunt**, **Mrs. Lois Boone** (hotel staff and witnesses at the Ambassador Hotel)  
- **Porter** (individual who testified about his activities at the Sun Club during the assassination)  

Key Locations  
- **San Gabriel Valley Gun Club** (Duarte, California) – site of rifle and pistol range observations  
- **Briar Patch Bar** (Arcadia, California) – referenced in Claudia June Williams’ account  
- **Ambassador Hotel**, Los Angeles, California – location of RFK’s assassination; specific areas include the Embassy Room, Coconut Grove, Regency Room, parking lot at Wilshire Boulevard, and ice machines near the Embassy Room  
- **Eighth Street Parking Lot** – where James Henry Arrietta worked  
- **Wilshire Entrance Parking Lot** – where Failah Ben-Jabr and Joseph A. Bererras were stationed  
- **Royal Suite (Fifth Floor)** – location of Salvador Becerra’s work  
- **Dishwashing Room** – mentioned as a location where commotion was observed during the shooting  

Key Events  
- **Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy**: Occurred at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968; described by witnesses including Salvador Becerra and Prodromos Begakis  
- **Witness accounts of individuals resembling SIRHAN BISHARA STIRHMAN** at the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club (June 1–17, 1968) and Ambassador Hotel (June 5, 1968)  
- **Photographic identification attempts**: Witnesses described physical traits of the suspect but did not confirm matches to photographs  
- **Interviews conducted by FBI agents** on June 11–14, 1968, focusing on hotel staff and guests’ knowledge of events around the assassination  
- **Statements about commotion and shouts** related to the shooting, including Salvador Becerra’s account of hearing disturbances after RFK left the podium  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – conducted interviews as part of the investigation into RFK’s assassination  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)** – referenced in statements about reporting incidents to authorities  
- **Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)** – mentioned in relation to Pablo Ascencio-Valdivia’s status as an illegal alien

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-x-3_sec_001_ser_1-345-part_2_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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