</s>J.1.1 51-1567-7 LaRporta2/11/19/1/1 3-2-8-5 2-3-4-5 3-5-6-7-8.5-9-9.5.5 FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER LA - LOS ANGELES RELAXATION AUTHORITY DEVELOPED FROM CLASS / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # 0:00-0:05-0-1:00 DO NOT DESTROY

Summary  
The document contains FBI records from December 1968 detailing interviews with individuals present at or near the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles during the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968. Witnesses described their locations, observations, and interactions related to the event, including physical descriptions of individuals they encountered, such as a person later identified as Sirhan Bishara Sirian. Reports include statements about the timeline of events, such as hearing gunshots, witnessing police activity, and noting Kennedy’s presence at the hotel. Several witnesses mentioned their inability to identify the assassin or recall unusual behavior from individuals present. The FBI compiled these accounts as part of its investigation into the assassination.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirian**: Identified as an individual taken by authorities after the shooting; described by some witnesses as appearing unremarkable.  
- **Ceci Doucet**: Stated she was in Room 802 of the Ambassador Hotel and heard shots but did not see the shooting, noting the assassination occurred in a corridor outside the Embassy Room.  
- **Willis Franklin Edwards (ASN US 56729416)**: Described being near the alleged assassin, noting the individual was alone and appeared unremarkable; mentioned nightmares related to the event and emotional distress during his interview.  
- **Dorothy Hartigan**: Reported she saw Sirhan Bishara Sirian being taken by police but could not confirm prior familiarity with him.  
- **David Hodges**: Stated he and others were in the Embassy Room, heard gunfire on a car radio, and viewed photographs of Sirhan Bishara Sirian without recognition.  
- **Robert R. Hodges**: Provided details about his brother’s account of the event and confirmed no prior knowledge of Sirhan Bishara Sirian at the hotel.  
- **Mary Jane Hoey**: Claimed she was in the Embassy Ballroom, heard shots, and later identified photographs of Sirhan Bishara Sirian as unfamiliar.  
- **Polly Fitzgerald** (Mrs. Edward FitzGerald): Cousin of RFK, present at the hotel; reported seeing Sirhan Sirhan being removed by police.  
- **Lawrence O'Brien**: National Chairman of the Democratic Party, stated he did not see Sirhan or a girl in a polka-dot dress during the incident.  
- **Theodore Sorensen**: Attorney and campaign associate of RFK; confirmed presence at the hotel but no direct knowledge of the shooting.  
- **Harry Benson**: Photographer present at the hotel; described hearing a scream and later seeing Kennedy lying on the floor.  
- **Joseph Kraft**: Reporter covering the election; stated he heard shouts but not shots and did not see Sirhan.  
- **James Bailey**: Campaign worker in Oregon and California; mentioned being at the Ambassador Hotel for the victory celebration.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California**: Central location for all accounts, where Senator Kennedy was assassinated. Witnesses described being in the Embassy Room or adjacent areas.  
- **Portland, Oregon**: Mentioned by Ceci Doucet as a location she resided in prior to the event.  
- **Embassy Room**: Where some witnesses reported confusion and initial reactions to the shooting.  
- **Hospital**: Where RFK was taken after being shot; several witnesses accompanied family members to check on his condition.  

Key Events  
- **Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy**: Occurred at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968. Witnesses described hearing gunshots and police response.  
- **Witness Accounts**: Multiple individuals reported being in proximity to the hotel, some noting the senator’s celebrity status and crowd reactions.  
- **Identification of Sirhan Bishara Sirian**: Photographs of the alleged assassin were shown to witnesses, but none confirmed prior recognition of him.  
- **Immediate Aftermath**: Confusion and police actions as attendees fled the scene; identification of Sirhan Sirhan being removed by authorities.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and documented witness statements as part of the investigation into the assassination.  
- **Democratic Party**: Represented by figures like Lawrence O'Brien, involved in campaign activities and post-assassination responses.  
- **Kennedy Campaign**: Included individuals such as Theodore Sorensen and Joseph Kraft, who provided details about their involvement in the campaign and events at the hotel.  
- **Los Angeles County Superior Court**: Oversaw Sirhan Bishara Sirian’s trial and related legal proceedings (January 7–29, 1969).

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-x-7_sec_001_ser_1--part_1_of_5.pdf

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