</s>with numerous people and he autographed a postor for an admirer. Kennedy entered the Embassy Ballroom through an honor guard of Kennedy Girls, and onto the stage. The time was 12:02 a.m. The stage area was packed as Kennedy delivered a victory message. to an audience of about 1500 persons in the crowded auditorium. Lights from the news cameras heated the already hot room. As Kennedy finished his speech one of his aids said, "This way Senator," and a small group, including Kennedy, walked to the rear of the stage and through the door to an anteroom. The decision to go through and anterom and serving pantry area was made moments before by Fred Dutton and William Barry. Both men attempted to catch up with Kennedy as he moved quickly toward the Colonial Room where the "writing press" was awaiting his arrival. Mrs. Kennedy remarked to Barry as they walked away from the stage, "stay with the Senator." A large crowd of people surged around Kennedy as He made his way toward the pantry Area. Several persons noted that Kennedy was walking "quite fast." Kennedy stopped for a brief moment to shake hands with the kitchen help. Karl Uecker, a hotel waiter captain, was with Kennedy he walked from the stage to the panty and took his arm to assist him toward the Colonial Room. Vincent Di Pierro, a college student and son of the hotel maitre d'', was walking to the right of Kennedy and about five feet behind him. He observed a man standing on a tray rack at the east end of the ice machine. He recalled that the man had an unusual smile on his face and appeared to be bending over -8- 2027 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

John F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The assassin, later identified as Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, shot Kennedy four times with a .22 caliber revolver.

Kennedy entered the Embassy Ballroom through an honor guard of Kennedy Girls and delivered a victory message to an audience of about 1500 persons. As he finished his speech, one of his aids said, "This way Senator," and a small group, including Kennedy, walked to the rear of the stage and through the door to an anteroom.

A large crowd of people surged around Kennedy as he made his way toward the pantry Area. Several persons noted that Kennedy was walking "quite fast." Kennedy stopped for a brief moment to shake hands with the kitchen help.

Karl Uecker, a hotel waiter captain, was with Kennedy from the stage to the panty and took his arm to assist him toward the Colonial Room. Vincent Di Pierro, a college student and son of the hotel maitre d', walked to the right of Kennedy and about five feet behind him.

A man standing on a tray rack at the east end of the ice machine had an unusual smile on his face and appeared to be bending over. Di Pierro looked away and turned toward Kennedy. The Shooting

Kennedy stopped to shake hands with a hotel waiter and then with Di Pierro. As he let go of the hand of Jesus Perez, another hotel employee, a man moved toward Kennedy; his right arm fully extended, he fired four shots quickly at the Senator.

The first shot struck Kennedy in the head behind the right ear; the second went through the padding of Kennedy's coat and struck Paul Schrade, United Automobile Workers Union official, in the Head. Witnesses' recollections of the shooting varied.

One thought the man was going to shake Hands with the senator. Another saw the man raise a pistol and saw an "angry and determined" look in his face. One witness saw the man push the gun toward the back of Kennedy's head but could not identify the suspect because of the chaos that followed.

A thirteen-year-old Kennedy worker saw the man holding the gun and then he saw a flame come from it. Uecker immediately grabbed the man as he fired the first shots. He continued firing at Kennedy and one witness recalled that "he had a tremendous look of concentration on his face."

He fired eight shots; the last four while the confused crowd tried to apprehend him. Five others were wounded in the shooting. Many witnesses thought that they heard balloons popping and others thought the sounds were firecrackers.

The accounts of the distance from the suspect and Kennedy varied. The account of busboy thought the gun was three feet from Kennedy's head. Another witness thought the first shot came from point-blank range.

Subsequent laboratory examination placed the distance of the first and fatal shot at one inch. The Capture

Karl Uecker swung around as Kennedy fell to the floor. Uecker seized the man by the neck and struck at his hand to push the gun away from the crowd; while several others close by reached out, to control him.

The man was wrestled to a nearby metal table and the gun fell from his hand for a moment. He was able to regain possession of the gun. Roosevelt Grier, an ex-professional football player, approached the struggling group.

He wrestled the gun from the man's hand and gave it to Rafter Johnson who was standing nearby. The men holding the man then pinned him to the serving table and held him there until the police arrived.

During the struggle, the suspect received minor injuries to his ankle and right hand. These were later treated at Homicide Division. William Barry, who was several feet behind Kennedy when the shots were fired, told investigators that when he reached the suspect, no one was holding him.

He stated that he took the gun from him and struck him twice in the face with his fist. He said that the suspect later retrieved the gun and others in the crowd assisted him in controlling the suspect.

The investigation disclosed, however, that by the time Barry reached the suspect, several others had hold of him. Medical Treatment of Senator Kennedy

Several doctors identified themselves immediately and offered to aid the victims of the shooting. Dr. Stanley Abo was the first to treat Kennedy.

He found his heartbeat very strong, his pulse rate between 50 and 60, and his breath shallow. His left eye was closed. When Abo told Kennedy that Stephen Smith, Kennedy's brother-in-law, had only a superficial wound, Kennedy replied, "Good."

It was later learned that Smith had not been shot. Abo found a small entry wound in back of Kennedy's right ear. At one point, Abo tried to open Kennedy's left eyelid but he resisted.

Later, Kennedy looked around the room and recognized his wife who was kneeling near him. He called her name several times and he was able to move his hands and feet. Abo noted that Kennedy's only apparent impairment was to his right eye.

During the time that he treated Kennedy, the only medical function performed was to keep the wound bleeding to prevent a clot from forming. Dr. Marvin Esher also treated Kennedy and believed that Kennedy had sustained a cardiac arrest.

He observed that Kennedy's left eyelid was closed and his right eye was open with the eyeball slightly deviated to the right. He noted that there was no visible movement in Kennedy's chest.

Removal from Hotel

A Los Angeles City Receiving Hospital ambulance was dispatched from Central Receiving Hospital at 12:18 a.m., and covered the 2.2 miles to the hotel in five minutes.

The driver and attendant were directed to the pantry but due to the crowd jammed around Kennedy, they were unable to open their first aid kit to provide emergency aid. Kennedy was placed on a stretcher and carried to the ambulance.

The doors to the ambulance were forcibly reopened twice by persons in the crowd who attempted to board the ambulance. William Barry and Warren Rogers, a Look Magazine editor, rode in the cab with the driver; Mrs. Kennedy, Fred Dutton, and Mrs. Stephen Smith were in the rear with Kennedy and the attendant.

The ambulance left the hotel escorted by a police vehicle. En route to the hospital, the attendant attempted to stop the flow of blood from the head wound of Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy said, "Don't touch him," and she slapped the attendant across the face.

Treatment at Central Receiving Hospital

Preparations had been made in Emergency Room Two prior to the arrival of the ambulance containing Kennedy. Dr. Faustin Bazilauskas, a staff surgeon, met the ambulance and supervised the move to Kennedy to the treatment room.

His initial diagnosis was: A comatose, weak thready pulse, in extremis, blood pressure zero over zero, heartbeat almost imperceptible, bullet wound right mastoid area with swelling, and in shock. Emergency treatment was given and decisions were made regarding the need for post-emergency treatment.

Dr. Albert Holt, of the Receiving Hospital staff, made a cursory examination of Kennedy. He found two bullet wounds and gave the opinion that Kennedy required immediate brain surgery. He recommended Dr. Henry Cueno to Mrs. Kennedy who was present in the room.

Several other specialists were notified in anticipation of injury to other areas of the Senator's body. Blood samples were sent to Good Samaritan Hospital for preparation at that location for the transfer of Kennedy, Emergency treatment continued and a heart-lung machine was installed to assist Kennedy's respiration.

Adrenalin was injected into Kennedy's arm. Kennedy was then out of shock, still catatose with hyperactive reflexes. The doctors found that the Senator had responded favorably to treatment but his condition was nevertheless critical.

His blood pressure was 150/90 and he continued to receive oxygen by nasal mask and he was given serum album intravenously. Transfer to Good Samaritan Hospital

Senator Kennedy was moved to an ambulance at 12:45 a.m., and the vehicle carrying Kennedy, his wife, Mrs. Smith, Barry, and Warren Rogers arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital at 12:48 a.m.

Kennedy was taken to the intensive care ward still unconscious and unresponsive. He showed evidence of brain injury and other symptoms indicated the need for a tracheotomy. Dr. Paul Ironside performed the tracheotomy and his breathing improved, however, two minutes later Kennedy's breathing stopped and he was placed under a respirator.

Dr. Henry Cueno arrived at the hospital and was briefed by Dr. Holt. X-rays were taken of the head and chest area. According to all of the doctors, the prognosis was extremely poor and they all agreed that they were dealing with an "absolute disaster."

The Operation

Surgery was begun at 3:10 a.m. The wound area was shaved and a small window was cut in the skull to facilitate a larger area to operate. Bone fragments, clotted blood, and bruised brain tissue were removed by Dr. Cueno.

Some of the lead fragments were identifiable as being from a bullet. During surgery, Kennedy's condition improved slightly, and he was able to breathe on his own. He was able to move his right leg but was still comatose.

Surgery was terminated at 6:30 a.m., and the respirator was reapplied when his breathing became labored. Dr. James I. Oppen, the Kennedy family physician, arrived at 11 a.m. from Boston.

He consulted with Dr. Cueno, and periodic updates were given to Mrs. Kennedy regarding her husband's condition. The Death of Senator Kennedy

At approximately 1:45 p.m., on June 6, 1968, Senator John F. Kennedy died.

A squad of officers formed a line and swept the corridor, moving all persons to a waiting room at the west end of the hospital. The only incident involved William Barry who insisted on remaining. He was refused admittance to Kennedy's room, as he had requested, but was allowed to remain in the corridor to avoid causing a major incident.

At 12:45 a.m., a security force of officers was dispatched to Good Samaritan Hospital to establish security at that location in advance of the intended transfer of Kennedy. A security check was made there and officers were deployed at various locations within the hospital and along the route to the Intensive Care Ward.

At 12:15 a.m., Kennedy was transported by City ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospitals escorted by Lieutenant Tackberry and Sergeant Swartart. Rifer Johnson, who had come to Central Receiving Hospital, had the assassination weapon in his possession. Two Intelligence Division sergeants asked Johnson for the gun. He insisted that he would only release it at "Police Headquarters."

At 1:15 A.M., after Kennedy had been removed, numerous sight-seers began arriving at Central receiving Hospital. Officer Tinch, who has been placed in charge of security, requested five units through Communications Division for assistance in dispersing the crowd which was becoming unruly.

A total of twenty officers and twenty duty sheriff's, who were dispatched from the IBM Building for this purpose, were led by Lieutenant R. Moulton, Highland Park Division, in dispersing the crown. No major incident occurred during the dispersal.

The original security force arriving at Good Samaritan Hospital from Central Receiving Hospital consisted of twenty-one officers and three sergeants. At 12:40 a.m., nine officers established road blocks around the hospital to prepare for the anticipated arrival of the ambulance bearing Kennedy.

At 3:25 a.m., Senator Edward M. Kennedy was met at City Hall by a Metropolitan Division sergeant and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. Deputy Chief Fisk ordered two Intelligence Division sergeants to provide security for him.

By 4 a.m., sufficient security forces were present and in position inside and outside the hospital. An orderly crowd of approximately 200 persons, mostly Negro, had gathered at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Lucas Street.

At 6:20 a.m., the crowd had dwindled to approximately 15 persons. At 6:10 a.m., surgery was completed and Kennedy was returned to the Intensive Care Ward.

On June 6, 1968, at 1:44 a.m., Kennedy was pronounced dead. His body was moved to the Morgue Room of the hospital for the autopsy. From 3 a.M., to 9:15 a.m., Dr. Thomas Noguchi, Los Angeles County Coroner, directed the autopsy.

Sergeant W. C. Jordan and Officer D. K. Stewart were assigned to attend. Photographs were taken by Scientific Investigation Division and officers provided security in the area of the Morgue Room.

By 9:30 a.m., the crowds in the vicinity of the Hospital had grown to an estimated one thousand persons. Additional security was provided for crowd control when the hearse carrying Kennedy left for International Airport at 12:30 p.m.

Security at the hospital was discontinued at 1 p.m. Transfer to International Airport

A request was made by Darwin Horn of the Secret Service for escorts for the Kennedy party from Good Samaritan Hospital to Los Angeles International Airport.

Deputy Chief D. F. Gates approved the request. Intelligence Division provided seven vehicles to provide transportation for the Kennedy family. Two motorcades were planned, one carrying the Kennedy staff and other the body and the family.

A minor incident occurred when Frederick Dutton arrived at the hospital with seven civilian escort officers and he requested that the civilians escort the motorcade instead of Department personnel.

This request was denied and Inspector M. Howe Instructed Captain J. E. Stephens, Commander, Metropolitan Division, that the civilian escort officials were not to participate in the motorcade.

The motorcade arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at 1:12 p.m. "Air Force #2" was airborne with the body of Senator Kennedy, his family and several others en route to New York City.

Functions of Rampart Patrol and Detectives

The Ambassador Hotel is located in Rampart Division and as such the responsibility for normal police response to incidents and the initial investigation of crimes rests with Rampart division Patrol and Detectives.

Lieutenant R. K. Sillings was the morning watch commander on June 5, 1968. He responded to an anonymous call to the hotel at 12:17 a.M., and assigned Sergeant J. S. Locker as station commander.

Patrol

At 12:33 a.m., Officers White and Placencia arrived at the station with the suspect. Locker immediately assumed responsibility for the initial investigation

RFK Declassified Files

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