</s>50-CA 150 U2 1-3 SERIAL 1-OPEN FBI-CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER LA-LOS ANGELES ASSASSINATION REPORT Clase/Case # Sub Vol. Serial # 006 158 1 08/09/986 02/0969 8/11/12/20252 RFP/0031/CT1 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
On June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was fatally shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, during a victory speech following his Democratic primary win. The assassination occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m., with Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, a Jordanian immigrant, firing multiple shots into Kennedy from a serving pantry. Five others were wounded. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted an extensive investigation, which included witness interviews, physical evidence analysis, and examination of potential conspiracy theories. Sirhan was arrested at the scene and later convicted for murder. The investigation spanned multiple volumes, detailing Kennedy’s activities leading up to the assassination, security measures in place, and broader political implications. Security arrangements for a motorcade on May 29, 1968, involved tensions between Kennedy’s aides and police over crowd control and perceived inadequate protection. On election night, the hotel hosted victory parties for Kennedy, Democrat Alan Cranston, and Republican Max Rafferty, with 514 registered guests. Security measures included 18 guards, fire inspectors, and Rampart Division officers. During the event, Kennedy moved through the hotel via service elevators and employee areas to avoid crowds before being shot in the pantry area. The suspect fired four shots at close range, wounding Kennedy and others. Officers subdued Sirhan, who was later identified as the shooter. Kennedy was transported to hospitals, where he received emergency treatment but died on June 6th. Five other individuals were injured. Law enforcement deployed officers for crowd control, suspect apprehension, and medical assistance, while command posts were established at the hotel and Rampart Station to coordinate investigations and witness statements.  

Key People  
- **Robert F. Kennedy**: U.S. Senator assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968.  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirhan**: The assassin, a Jordanian immigrant arrested at the scene.  
- **Deputy Chief Robert A. Houghton**: LAPD commander who oversaw the investigation and created the Special Unit Senator task force.  
- **Captain Hugh Brown**: Task Force Commander assigned to lead the investigation.  
- **William Barry**: Ex-PBIA agent serving as Kennedy’s sole personal security.  
- **Frederick Dutton**: Kennedy’s California campaign manager, who shouted obscenities at officers.  
- **Rafer Johnson**: Provided physical security for Kennedy.  
- **Karl Uecker**: Hotel waiter captain who assisted Kennedy after the shooting.  
- **Vincent Di Pierro**: College student and son of the hotel maitre d’, who observed the suspect’s actions.  
- **Roosevelt Grier**: Ex-professional football player who helped subdue the suspect.  
- **Sergeant Sharaga**: Broadcast suspect descriptions during the investigation.  
- **Lieutenant Sillings**: Established a command post at the hotel to direct operations.  
- **Sergeant J. Jones**: Managed crowd control and witness transport.  
- **Lieutenant R. Tackaberry**: Secured Central Receiving Hospital for victims.  
- **Inspector J. W. Powers**: Clarified suspect status during interrogations.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Site of the assassination; Kennedy was shot in a serving pantry after delivering a speech in the Embassy Room.  
- **Central Receiving Hospital**: Initial treatment for Kennedy and other victims.  
- **Good Samaritan Hospital**: Where Kennedy underwent surgery and died.  
- **Rampart Division Station**: Deployed officers to secure the hotel and assist with the suspect; used as an interrogation room and witness processing site.  
- **Parker Center**: Special facilities used for storing investigative records related to the case.  
- **Corona, California**: Location of a shooting range where Sirhan practiced prior to the assassination.  
- **IBM Building**: Sheriffs’ deputies stationed for ballot counting during election night.  

Key Events  
- **May 29, 1968 Motorcade**: Tensions between Kennedy’s aides and police over crowd control and perceived lack of security.  
- **June 4–5, 1968 Election Night Activities**: Crowds overwhelmed security measures at the Ambassador Hotel, leading to chaotic conditions during victory parties for Kennedy, Cranston, and Rafferty.  
- **Kennedy’s Movement Through the Hotel**: He used service elevators and employee areas to avoid crowds before being shot in the pantry area.  
- **The Shooting**: A suspect fired four shots at close range, wounding Kennedy and others. Officers subdued the suspect, later identified as Sirhan Sirhan.  
- **Medical Treatment of Kennedy**: Transported to hospitals, where he received emergency care but died on June 6th. Five other individuals were injured with varying degrees of severity.  
- **Immediate Aftermath Response**: Law enforcement deployed officers for crowd control, suspect apprehension, and medical assistance. Command posts were established at the hotel and Rampart Station to coordinate investigations and witness statements.  
- **Suspect Descriptions Broadcast**: Sergeant Sharaga disseminated descriptions of a blond male suspect, later canceled, followed by additional descriptions for a Latin male and female Caucasian suspect, which were also rescinded.  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Primary investigative agency, led by the Detective Bureau and Special Unit Senator task force; deployed Metropolitan Division officers for crowd control and suspect apprehension.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Provided resources and assistance in the investigation.  
- **California Democratic Party**: Used to solicit information from Kennedy supporters for witness identification.  
- **Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department**: Coordinated ambulance services for victims and stationed deputies at the IBM Building for ballot counting.  
- **Communications Division**: Managed suspect descriptions and updates during the early hours following the assassination.  
- **Inter-Agency Meetings**: Monthly coordination sessions between LAPD, FBI, and other agencies to review investigative progress and assign responsibilities.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156_sec_001_ser_06-1968-02-1969-part_1_of_9.pdf

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