</s>OPTIONAL FORM No. 16 $99-009 BAN GERALD, NO. 27 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO : SAC, LOS ANGELES (56-156) : SAG, LOSS ANGELES [56-158) DATE: 8/9/68 FROM : SA A. O. RICHARDS SUBJECT: KENSALT On 6/15/68, MARWAM MOHAMMED SAHMA of Alhambra, California, was interviewed by SA RICHARD N. THOMAS (Los Angeles, was reported dated 7/1/68. Page 61). In this interview, SAHBA mentioned who is an acquaintance of his by the name of HAFEE ARABAT who is a Jordanian. SAHBI did not indicate that ARABAT knew SIRHAN, but stated that he vaguely resembles him. By letter dated 8/1 /68, the Bureau instructed that Los Angeles locate and interview HAFEZ ARABAAT re any knowledge of SIRIHAN. LEAD LOS ANGELES AT CANOGA PARK, CALIFORNIA: Will interview HAEZ ARAPAT who resides in Canoga Park, exact address unknown, but who has telephone No. 884-8755. by Jees. Jo-13/1557 SEARCHED (INDEXED/EXED) SERIALIZED -SXED (3) 1968 FB1-LOS ANGELESS AOR/jmb, (3]) 3) 3/11/12. Tugley 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities in Los Angeles during late June to August 1968, focusing on inquiries related to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) at the Ambassador Hotel on June 4, 1968. Interviews were conducted with individuals linked to potential connections with Sirhan Sirhan, the perpetrator, and other associates. Key actions included photograph displays to witnesses, neighborhood investigations around locations like Dave’s Coffee Shop in Alhambra, and checks of gun club cartridge casings. The FBI sought information on individuals who may have interacted with RFK or witnessed events at the hotel. Additional records include FBI communications from August 7, 1968, regarding Paul Schaap and inquiries into SOBEEL CHEEK and ED SLUSHER’s alleged threatening calls. Investigations also covered Walter Cronkite’s CBS broadcast, Steve Shapiro’s photography work, Eddie Sirihan’s arrest history, and international references to Hong Kong authorities. A separate summary highlights FBI efforts to verify Sirhan Bishara’s employment, bank account status, associations with Paul Khoury and John Henry Strathmann, and his gun shop ammunition purchase on June 1, 1968, alongside inquiries into the distribution of a "Kill KENNEDY" pamphlet at the Ambassador Hotel.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Bishara (SIRHAN)**: Suspect linked to RFK’s assassination; investigated for employment, bank account, and associations.  
- **Paul Khoury**: Associate of SIRHAN, studied mysticism with him; interviewed by FBI.  
- **John Henry Strathmann**: Interviewed about SIRHAN’s mystical interests.  
- **William F. Gardner**: Security officer at the Ambassador Hotel; questioned regarding a "Kill KENNEDY" pamphlet.  
- **Larry Arnot**: Gun shop salesman who reported SIRHAN purchasing ammunition.  
- **Donna Herrick**: Owner’s wife of the gun shop, noted SIRHAN’s prior visit for armor-piercing ammunition.  
- **Marwam Mohammed Sahma**: Interviewed on June 15, 1968, mentioned acquaintance Hafez Arabat (Jordanian), noted to resemble Sirhan Sirhan.  
- **Hafez Arabat**: Sought for potential knowledge of Sirhan; no direct link established.  
- **Joseph E. Jacobs**: Interviewed by SA Norbert R. Linker on June 10, 1968; linked to Mrs. Shirley Connel’s rumor about Sirhan’s movements.  
- **Frances Evans**: Reported attending Arab discussion groups at Fullerton Junior College in November 1967, possibly encountered Sirhan.  
- **Jack Grugan**: Hotel guard at the Ambassador Hotel on June 4–5, 1968; interviewed for details on events during RFK’s assassination.  
- **David Phillips**: Owner of Dave’s Coffee Shop in Alhambra; neighborhood investigation conducted to locate individuals resembling Sirhan.  
- **Valerie Schulte**: “Kennedy Girl” present at the Ambassador Hotel on June 4, 1968; interviewed by LAPD and FBI.  
- **Richard Orfala & David Roché**: Claimed to have seen a man resembling Sirhan in the Embassy Room post-assassination.  
- **SOBEEL CHEEK**: Interviewed in Indiana; admitted making a call about RFK’s assassination but denied threats.  
- **ED SLUSHER**: Resided with CHEEK; provided telephone details and claimed to have spoken to San Francisco police.  
- **David L. Casterline**: AUSA who declined prosecution of CHEEK.  
- **Paul Schaap**: Contacted by FBI regarding RFK assassination; advised to reach out to CIA.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Site of RFK’s assassination on June 4, 1968; key location for interviews with guards and witnesses.  
- **Fullerton Junior College**: Mentioned as a venue where Frances Evans allegedly encountered Sirhan.  
- **Dave’s Coffee Shop (Alhambra)**: Subject of neighborhood investigation to locate individuals resembling Sirhan.  
- **San Gabriel Valley Gun Club**: Cartridge casings retrieved for analysis, though FBI declined examination due to limited relevance.  
- **Peak’s Hamburger House (Taco Tree), Pasadena, California**: Site of employment verification for SIRHAN.  
- **Golden Garter Bar, Los Angeles, California**: Alleged location of a statement about targeting Kennedy.  
- **Lock, Stock 'N Barrel Gun Shop, Los Angeles, California**: Site of ammunition purchase by SIRHAN on June 1, 1968.  
- **Muncie, Indiana**: Location of SOBEEL CHEEK and ED SLUSHER’s residence.  
- **San Francisco, California**: Site of police department call mentioned by CHEEK.  
- **Pasadena, California**: Police department booking record involving Linda Ann.  
- **Hong Kong**: Mentioned in international routing slips and references to LEGAT (liaison office).  

Key Events  
- **Interviews with witnesses**: Conducted by FBI agents in Los Angeles to gather information on Sirhan Sirhan’s movements and associations.  
- **Photo displays**: Photographs of Sirhan and associates shown to individuals like Mrs. Mildred Kellis, Louise Kellis, and others for identification.  
- **Neighborhood investigations**: Launched around Alhambra and Pomona to locate potential witnesses or suspects.  
- **Gun club casing analysis**: Cartridge casings retrieved from San Gabriel Valley Gun Club on June 10, 1968; FBI declined further examination due to limited utility.  
- **June 28, 1968**: Interview with SOBEEL CHEEK and ED SLUSHER regarding RFK assassination allegations.  
- **August 6, 1968**: FBI request to interview Pernell Exzell about RFK-related inquiries.  
- **June 3, 1968**: Walter Cronkite’s CBS broadcast where an individual allegedly pointed at RFK; CBS denied any undue content in the footage.  
- **August 7, 1968**: FBI directive to SAC Los Angeles regarding Paul Schaap and CIA contact.  
- **Pasadena Police Department booking record (May 19, 1967)**: Involves Linda Ann with items linked to potential RFK case connections.  
- **Verification of SIRHAN’s employment and bank account status**: Through interviews and central bank records.  
- **Investigation into the distribution of a "Kill KENNEDY" pamphlet**: At the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Gun shop purchase of ammunition by SIRHAN on June 1, 1968**: Noted in FBI records.  
- **Interviews with witnesses and employees**: To resolve discrepancies in witness accounts and photographic identifications.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Central agency coordinating investigations into RFK’s assassination and related inquiries.  
- **LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department)**: Collaborated with FBI on bank records, employee interviews, and security inquiries.  
- **CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)**: Mentioned as a contact option for Paul Schaap.  
- **Hong Kong Police Special Branch (SB)**: Referenced in international routing slips and memoranda.  
- **Security Liaison Office (MI-5)**: Hong Kong office involved in RFK-related inquiries.  
- **Black Star Photographers**: Company associated with Steve Shapiro, a photographer under investigation.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156_sec_007_ser_1451-1700-part_05_of_10.pdf

Document Summary

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