</s>hand. Kennedy then took his wife's hand and claspped it between his hands. Kennedy grimaced in pain but very quietly lay on the floor in obvious discomfort. Several times he moanced, "Oh, Ethel." Occasionally he moved his hips and legs to a more comfortable position. There appeared to be no impairment in this respect. According to Dr. Abo, the only neurological evidence of damage was to the right eye. During the fifteen minutes that Dr. Abe attended the Senator, the only medical function performed was to keep the wound bleeding; the theory being to prevent the formation of a clot which. would cause intracranial pressure and internal hemorrhaging. Dr. Abe prevented other individuals from attempting external heart massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Dr. Marvin Esher arrived after Dr. Abo and at first believed that Kennedy had sustained a cardiac arrest. He observed his left eyelid closed, right eyelid open with the eyeball slightly deviated to the left. Kennedy was not alert, semicomatose and in critical condition. There was no visible movement in Kennedy's chest. Dr. Esher checked for a heartbeat and found. his pulse good, strong but very rapid. There were no excessive flow of blood from his head wound. Dr. Ross Matthew Miller rushed upstairs to the kitchen in response to the appeal for doctors; however, the pantry doors were blocked by hotel security guards. He managed to pass and saw Senator Kennedy lying on the floor with blood about the head. He checked Kennedy's pulse and found it strong but more rapid than normal. There are other doctors in attendance at. -164- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
Robert F. Kennedy was shot in the right mastoid area and right shoulder during a campaign event at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. He collapsed immediately, sustaining severe head trauma and a bullet wound to the right shoulder. Initial medical responders, including Drs. Stanley Abo, Marvin Esher, and Ross Miller, performed emergency care at the scene, preventing clot formation and administering oxygen. Kennedy was transported by ambulance to Central Receiving Hospital, where he was diagnosed as comatose, in shock, with a weak pulse and neurological damage limited to the right eye. He was later transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital for surgery. At Good Samaritan, Dr. Henry Cuneo led efforts to remove bullet fragments from the brain and mastoid region, though Kennedy's condition remained critical. Despite initial improvement, his blood pressure dropped, and he died at 1:44 a.m. on June 6, 1968, following terminal deterioration marked by fixed pupils, absent reflexes, and cardiac arrest.  

Irwin Stroll (17) was shot in the left shin at the Ambassador Hotel, with a deformed bullet removed by Dr. Cozen and Dr. Finberbert. Ira Goldstein (19), a reporter, was struck by a bullet through his left buttocks after witnessing Senator Kennedy's shooting. Goldstein received treatment at Central Receiving Hospital and Encino Hospital. Valerie Schulte, a "Kennedy Girl," observed the events and interacted with Ethel Kennedy. Other victims included Paul Schrade (scalp wound), William Weisel (left side shot), Elizabeth Evans (head wound), and others listed in separate entries. Police involvement at the Ambassador Hotel began around 12:06 a.m., with officers responding to multiple calls about the shooting. Sirhan B. Sirhan was arrested after being subdued by officers, including Officer White, who transported him to Rampart Station. The arrest involved crowd control challenges and interactions with Jesse Unruth, who claimed Sirhan would stand trial. Medical details included bullet removals, X-rays, and assessments of injuries.  

The document details the immediate aftermath of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. It outlines the efforts of law enforcement to secure the crime scene, manage crowds, and gather evidence. Officers from multiple units, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, coordinated to clear unauthorized persons from the hotel, protect witnesses, and document the scene. Key actions included securing the Embassy Ballroom, isolating witnesses in the Gold Room, handling media interference, and managing traffic disruptions. The text also describes the dissemination of suspect descriptions, initial misidentification of a "second suspect," and subsequent corrections. Specific individuals such as Roosevelt Grier, Jesus Perez, and George Ross Clayton are mentioned in relation to witness accounts or evidence collection.  

Key People  
- **Robert F. Kennedy**: Senator shot in the right mastoid area and right shoulder.  
- **Ethel Kennedy**: His wife, present during treatment; described his pain and discomfort.  
- **Dr. Stanley Abo**: First to assess Kennedy at the scene, noted neurological damage.  
- **Dr. Marvin Esher**: Arrived later, confirmed cardiac arrest but found a strong pulse.  
- **Dr. Ross Miller**: Transported Kennedy to hospital, assisted in resuscitation efforts.  
- **Dr. Henry Cuneo**: Led surgical team at Good Samaritan Hospital; performed tracheotomy and brain surgery.  
- **Dr. Albert Holt**: Diagnosed bullet wounds and advised transfer to Good Samaritan.  
- **Nurses**: Including Eby, Lightsey, Tolbert, and others who assisted in resuscitation and post-operative care.  
- **Irwin Stroll (17)**: Shot in left shin; treated at Midway Hospital.  
- **Ira Goldstein (19)**: Reporter shot in left buttocks; treated at Central Receiving Hospital and Encino Hospital.  
- **Valerie Schulte**: "Kennedy Girl" present at the scene, interacted with Ethel Kennedy.  
- **Sirhan B. Sirhan**: Arrested for shooting Kennedy; subdued by officers including Officer White.  
- **Jesse Unruth**: Interacted with officers during Sirhan's arrest, claimed Sirhan would stand trial.  
- **Ethel Kennedy**: Slapped Ira Goldstein after he claimed to be shot.  
- **Dr. Cozen, Dr. Finberbert, Dr. Finkel**: Medical personnel involved in treating victims.  
- **Sergeant Jones**: Led efforts to secure the crime scene and protect evidence.  
- **Sergeant Rolon**: Assigned hotel security officers to assist with crowd control and witness management.  
- **Jesus Perez**: Reported to be shaking hands with Kennedy at the time of the shooting; attempted to be bribed by a reporter for an exclusive story.  
- **George Ross Clayton**: Amateur photographer who voluntarily turned over film of the crime scene to Officer Craig.  
- **Sergeant Sharaga**: Coordinated communication and updates on suspect descriptions.  
- **Lieutenant Sillings**: Provided televised statements about the shooting and suspect description.  
- **Inspector Rock**: Assumed duties as Press Relations Officer for the department.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Site of the assassination; Kennedy was shot on the second floor kitchen area.  
- **Central Receiving Hospital**: Initial treatment for Kennedy and other victims; emergency room two prepared for trauma cases.  
- **Good Samaritan Hospital**: Final hospital where Kennedy underwent surgery and died.  
- **Midway Hospital**: Treated Irwin Stroll.  
- **Encino Hospital**: Transferred Ira Goldstein after initial care at Central Receiving Hospital.  
- **Rampart Police Station**: Sirhan B. Sirhan's arrest and transport location.  
- **Embassy Ballroom**: Primary location of the assassination and subsequent crowd control efforts.  
- **Gold Room**: Used to isolate witnesses from the Embassy Foyer area.  
- **Kitchen/Pantry Area**: Where Sergeant Jones observed bloodstains and evidence.  
- **IBM Building**: Command Post for sheriff’s personnel and a location where some officers were stationed.  
- **Palm Court**: Site of an altercation between two men that was resolved by officers.  

Key Events  
- **Assassination (June 5, 1968)**: Kennedy shot in the head and shoulder during a campaign event at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Emergency Response**: Doctors and nurses performed resuscitation efforts, including tracheotomy and heart-lung machine use.  
- **Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital**: Bullet fragments removed from brain and mastoid; Kennedy's condition fluctuated between improvement and deterioration.  
- **Death (June 6, 1968)**: Declared dead at 1:44 a.m. after terminal cardiac arrest and loss of neurological function.  
- **12:06 a.m.:** Officers Blishak and Velasquez received unrelated calls about illegally parked vehicles at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **12:17 a.m.:** Sergeant Sillings notified of Kennedy's shooting after a call from an unknown person.  
- **12:22 a.m.:** Officers White, Placencia, Livesey, Strickel, and Nunley located Senator Kennedy in the pantry and subdued Sirhan B. Sirhan during a chaotic crowd confrontation.  
- **12:28 a.m.:** Sirhan was transported to Rampart Station; officers reported his arrest and described him as a suspect.  
- **Medical treatment of victims**: Included bullet removals, X-rays, and assessments for shock or nerve damage.  
- **Crowd Management**: Officers and deputies worked to clear unauthorized persons from the hotel, including media and bystanders, using physical presence and batons.  
- **Witness Isolation**: Witnesses were moved to the Gold Room under police supervision, with restrictions on entry without a police officer.  
- **Evidence Collection**: Blood-soaked rags and photographs of the crime scene were secured as evidence.  
- **Suspect Description Discrepancies**: Initial broadcasts of suspect descriptions were corrected after conflicting accounts from witnesses. A "second suspect" was later dismissed as an error.  
- **Media Interference**: Reporters attempted to bribe witnesses and obstruct police efforts, prompting increased security measures.  
- **Transportation of Witnesses**: Witnesses were transported to Rampart Station via police vehicles, with some escorted by officers to the IBM Building for processing.  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Coordinated crowd control, evidence collection, and witness management.  
- **Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department**: Assisted with security at the IBM Building next to the hotel.  
- **Medical personnel (Dr. Cozen, Dr. Finkel, etc.)**: Provided treatment for gunshot wounds.  
- **Communications Division**: Managed radio transmissions and dispatches during the crisis.  
- **Emergency Control Center**: Managed communication and coordination between units during the crisis.  
- **Rampart Division**: Oversaw police operations at the hotel and later checked conditions at Good Samaritan Hospital.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156_sec_001_ser_06-1968-02-1969-part_5_of_9.pdf

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