Summary  
The documents detail multiple investigations into events surrounding Robert F. Kennedy’s (RFK) assassination on June 5, 1968, and related incidents involving Saidallah Sirhan (later identified as Sirhan Sirhan), the perpetrator of the assassination. Key cases include an attempted murder of Sirihan on July 3, 1968, on the Pasadena Freeway, which involved a car accident and shooting. Physical evidence such as bullet fragments, gunpowder residue, and a rifle carrying case were recovered from Sirihan’s vehicle. The Pasadena Police Department (PPD) coordinated with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers to investigate suspect vehicles (a late-model white/off-white Volkswagen bus and a 1959 green Chevrolet). A polygraph examination was conducted on Sirihan, though results are unspecified.  

The PPD also documented protective measures for RFK following threats, including his relocation to his mother’s residence at 996 Howard Street, Pasadena, under police guard. A threatening phone call to RFK was reported by Officer Baxter on July 4, 1968, though timing and details were disputed. Investigations linked Sirihan to firearms possession, including a 38 caliber revolver allegedly obtained from Mr. Alex in 1966. Witnesses such as Linda Davis and David Shackett provided accounts of Sirihan’s interactions, including his alleged Jordanian heritage and visits to a sandal shop at 68 North Fair Oaks Avenue.  

The case numbered PC 217 (Saidallah Sirhan) included interviews with Ritchie, Smith, Mary Valdez, and John (Valdez’s roommate), who described Sirihan’s movements, gun ownership, and interactions. A map and bullet trajectory diagrams were included in the investigation. The FBI was involved in tracking Sirihan’s activities, including a 1968 memorandum about his trial. Legal proceedings referenced include Sirhan’s trial presided over by Judge Herbert Johnson, scheduled for October 1, 1968.  

Additional investigations focused on individuals linked to RFK’s assassination, such as Arthur Robert Hopkins (owner of Hopkins Motors), Richard Aubrey (a Black reporter at the Sentinel newspaper), and Vernon Thompson (former NBC technician). The LAPD reviewed FBI files on Hopkins and sought to interview Thompson regarding potential witness accounts of events at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968. A property report dated August 30, 1968, detailed shell casings found at the hotel.  

Key People  
- **Robert F. Kennedy (RFK)**: Victim of assassination; relocated to his mother’s home in Pasadena under police protection.  
- **Saidallah Sirhan** (later identified as Sirhan Sirhan): Central figure in the attempted murder case on July 3, 1968; linked to firearms possession and interactions with Mr. Alex, Linda Davis, Mary Valdez, and others.  
- **Mr. Alex**: Allegedly gave a revolver to Sirihan in 1966; later reported the weapon was taken by his girlfriend.  
- **Linda Davis**: Claimed to have met Sirihan at the Posey residence and noted his Jordanian heritage.  
- **David Shackett**: Owner of the sandal shop where Sirihan allegedly discussed Kennedy’s assassination.  
- **Marvin Byron**: Linked to the Ambassador Hotel on June 4, 1968; associated with the California Association of Bail Agents.  
- **Judge Herbert Johnson**: Presided over Sirhan’s trial in 1968.  
- **Attorney Russell Parsas**: Represented Sirhan’s family in legal proceedings.  
- **Arthur Robert Hopkins**: Owner of Hopkins Motors, identified as “ART” or “ARTI” in discussions about Kennedy’s assassination.  
- **Richard Aubrey**: Black reporter for the Sentinel newspaper; linked to the Ambassador Hotel kitchen area during the assassination.  
- **Vernon Thompson**: Former NBC technician; later co-owner of KOT radio station in Big Bear, California.  

Key Locations  
- **Pasadena Freeway** (near Orange Grove Boulevard): Site of the July 3, 1968, attempted murder and car accident.  
- **996 Howard Street, Pasadena**: RFK’s mother’s residence where he relocated for protection.  
- **68 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena**: Sandal shop associated with Sirihan.  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Linked to the assassination; shell casings found at the hotel kitchen area.  
- **1020 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena**: Residence linked to a party involving individuals under investigation.  
- **Granada Hills, California**: Thompson’s address after leaving NBC.  
- **Burbank, California**: NBC Studios where Thompson worked.  

Key Events  
- **July 3, 1968**: Attempted murder of Saidallah Sirihan on the Pasadena Freeway; recovery of physical evidence and suspect vehicles (VW bus and Chevrolet).  
- **July 4, 1968**: RFK relocated to his mother’s home in Pasadena under police guard following a reported threatening call.  
- **May 30, 1968**: Mary Valdez met Sirihan while hitchhiking to the United Artists Theater.  
- **July 13–18, 1968**: Police interactions with Sirihan, including visits to his apartment and discussions about firearms.  
- **June 5, 1968**: RFK’s assassination at the Ambassador Hotel; subsequent investigations into shell casings and witness accounts.  
- **September 19, 1963**: FBI investigation in the Bronx (unrelated to RFK but included in documents).  
- **October 1, 1968**: Scheduled trial for Sirhan Sirhan, presided over by Judge Herbert Johnson.  

Key Organizations  
- **Pasadena Police Department (PPD)**: Conducted investigations into Sirihan’s activities and provided reports on the July 3, 1968, incident.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Coordinated with PPD; reviewed FBI files on Arthur Robert Hopkins and sought to interview Vernon Thompson.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Received information from PPD and conducted follow-up inquiries, including a 1968 memorandum about Sirhan’s trial.  
- **National Broadcasting Company (NBC)**: Linked to Vernon Thompson’s former employment; referenced in investigations into the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **KOT Radio Station**: Co-owned by Vernon Thompson in Big Bear, California.  
- **California Association of Bail Agents**: Associated with Marvin Byron, present at the Ambassador Hotel on June 4, 1968.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156_sec_010_ser_2076-2275-part_6_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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