</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 1 Date 6/13/68 1 LESNE R. SMOOTZ, Apartment B. 639 Le Mar Park Drive, Glendora, advised that he was born May 10, 1917 at Walla Walla, Washington and is currently employed as the manager of J. J. Newberry Department Store, 501 South Glendora. Glendoro, California. Mr. SMOOOTZ said that he is a member of the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club, Duarte, California, and that he recalls having come to the R.M. on June 4, 1968 sometime between 2:00 PM. to 3:30 P.M ., that date, that he said he speeds. He was a member at the range during this period, approximately 30 minutes at a range his new 2:50 PM. He said he his new. 22.250. Model 786 Remington pistol. The he said that his was sighting this this weapon in and he was on the pifle part of the range. He Said that he had on the 22, which is pretty removed from the pistol range. 33, which it is pretty left. Mr. SmOOTz said that at no time during his stay at the range on this day he was no to go to the pistol range. nor did he see anyone on the pistol Range. The pistol range, does not recall seeing any blond woman, nor did he recognize the photograph of STIRAN B. STIRIAN at any time. seen that day at the orange or at any Time. Mr. SMOOTZ Said that during the time he was firing he fired a .22. SMOTZsaid that he did a double load in it and this caused his .22 shell which had that he then found it. necessary to leave him on his way that he held it. SMOOTZI said that the way he had confered with the range manager, LLOYD HAGER, on his right hand. He held the effort to deter- Mine where he might be able to have his weapon repaired Maine SMOOTHZ said he had to have this weapon repaired called Campers Haven, HAGGER advised his he is an effort to place his gun to be repaired. Mr. SNOOTZZ said that it could vaguely remember having seen other people at the Range but he could go and left 6/12/68 6/1/68 at Glendoria, California at Glendale, California File # File # Los Angeles 56-155 SA ROLAND H. BROYLES & - 32 - <loc_460><loc_886>-<loc_463><loc_886>-32- 6/2/68 <loc_764><loc_909><loc_757><loc_910>6//12-68<loc_756><loc_909><loc_757><loc_909>6/128/68

Summary  
This document contains multiple FBI FD-302 interview records from June 1968 detailing observations of individuals at the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club in Duarte, California, on June 4, 1968 (the day prior to Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination). Witnesses described interactions with a man later identified as Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, including his presence at the pistol range and firearm use. Interviews also included hotel employees at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles who reported no prior knowledge of Sirhan or the assassination. One witness, Claudia June Williams, met Sirhan at the gun club and later identified him in a photograph. Other witnesses provided physical descriptions of Sirhan, including his age, build, clothing, and firearm type (.22 caliber Remington Model 786). The FBI conducted interviews to corroborate these accounts and assess potential connections to RFK’s assassination.  

Key People  
- **Lesne R. Smootz**: Interviewed June 13, 1968; described firing a .22 caliber Remington Model 786 pistol at the gun club on June 4, 1968, and stated he did not see Sirhan or a blond woman.  
- **Richard R. Steward Jr.**: Interviewed June 17, 1968; reported observing multiple individuals at the gun club, including a white male firing a 44 magnum pistol, and identified Sirhan in photographs.  
- **James J. Thornbruch**: Interviewed June 24, 1968; positively identified Sirhan in photographs as the individual he saw at the pistol range on June 4, 1968, noting his crouching position and rapid firing.  
- **Ben Trower**: Interviewed June 14, 1963; described a man and woman at the rifle range on June 4, 1963, but this date is unrelated to RFK’s assassination.  
- **Claudia June Williams**: Barmaid at the Briar Patch Bar; met Sirhan at the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club on June 4, 1968, and later identified him in a photograph.  
- **Juan M. Anguiano**: Banquet houseman at the Ambassador Hotel; reported seeing an individual carrying "Kennedy hand-out materials" in the Regency Room around 12:15-12:30 AM on June 5, 1968, and later identified Sirhan in photographs.  
- **Victor Zaldevar Arrevillaga**: Bartender at the Ambassador Hotel; confirmed RFK’s assassination occurred around 12:25 AM on June 5, 1968, and stated he had never seen Sirhan before.  
- **Joseph A. Bereras**: Parking lot attendant at the Ambassador Hotel; provided physical description of Sirhan, including birth data (November 11, 1928) and a social security number [SSN REDACTED].  
- **Leonard Scott Blunt**: Bell boy at the Ambassador Hotel; reported hearing about RFK’s shooting via radio and described Sirhan Bishara Sirhan.  
- **Mrs. Lois Boone**: Switchboard operator at the Ambassador Hotel; stated she was not present during the shooting and provided her birth data (January 5, 1948) and a social security number [SSN REDACTED].  

Key Locations  
- **San Gabriel Valley Gun Club**, Duarte, California (pistol and rifle ranges).  
- **Fish Canyon Road**, Duarte, California (location of the gun club).  
- **Ambassador Hotel**, 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California (site of RFK’s assassination and location of interviews with hotel employees).  
- **Briar Patch Bar**, 4373 East Live Oak, Arcadia, California (where Claudia June Williams worked as a barmaid).  
- **Regency Room** and **Embassy Room**, Ambassador Hotel (specific areas where witnesses reported observations related to the assassination).  

Key Events  
- Observations of individuals at the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club on June 4, 1968, including Sirhan Bishara Sirhan’s presence and firearm use.  
- Claudia June Williams’ encounter with Sirhan at the gun club and subsequent photographic identification.  
- Juan M. Anguiano’s report of an individual carrying "Kennedy hand-out materials" in the Regency Room on June 5, 1968, later identified as Sirhan.  
- Confirmation by multiple witnesses that RFK was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel around 12:25 AM on June 5, 1968.  
- Interviews with hotel employees who stated they had no prior knowledge of Sirhan or the assassination.  
- Physical descriptions of Sirhan provided by witnesses, including age, build, clothing, and firearm type (.22 caliber Remington Model 786).  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and investigations into RFK’s assassination.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Mentioned in context of photographic identification and collaboration with FBI.  
- **Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)**: Noted in descriptions of witnesses’ legal status.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_020_ser_807_only-part_2_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search