</s>FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 1 Date: 10/3/68 Mr. LANSING LAMONT, 5163 Tilden Street, N.W ., Washington, D.C ., (WDC), advised he is the national political correspondent for Time, Incorporated, Suite 1200, 1120 Connecticut Avenue, N ., During the week of June 3-6, 1968, he was assigned to the Senator ROBERT F. KENNEDY campaign and was registered staying at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Mr. LAMONT advised he was in the Embassy Room of the Ambassador Hotel during the time Senator KENNEOY was giving his victory speech subsequent to the California primary election. Mr. LANMONT was to the left front of the podium as he faced Senator Kennedy during the speech. After Senator as KENNEDYY sent speaking, the observed the Senator and his party exit through a curtain doorway to the rear of the podium. Mr. LAONT then walked towards the television cameras located at the rear or of the EmbassyRoom and started towards the corridor which would lead to the Colonial Room where the Senator was to give a short press conference to members of the writing press. As he heard the door leading to the corridor, Mr. LAMONT heard loud shouting and screaming coming from the writing press, As he headed the door leaving to the from the area near the podium. As the shouting crew louder, he walked over in three minutes after leaving the speakers were there to the office after leaving. Was speakers platform that shouting began. He then determined persons including Senator KENNETHEDY had been shot in the serving kitchen area. Mr. AMMONT said he entered the serving kitchen area and observed Senator KennEDY lying on the floor and another man who was wounded lying almost head to toe to the Senator. 9/27/68.68 .- Washington,D.C. File# WFO 173-135 SA JOSEPH C. KELLY:sas 10/31/68 by Date dictated This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the Fbi and is loaned to your agency. It is not contents are not to be distributed outside your agency, 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail accounts from multiple individuals regarding events surrounding Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Witnesses such as Lansing Lamont, Daryl Lembke, James Marooney, John Marquand, and Steve Nelson described their positions during and after the speech, noting chaos, screams, and confusion. Lamont observed Kennedy lying in the serving kitchen with another wounded man, while Marquand witnessed a confrontation involving Sirhan Sirhan, who was wrestled to the ground by others. Reguly of the Toronto Star reported seeing Sirian (likely Sirhan Sirhan) restrained by Rosek Grier, Rafer Johnson, and an unknown man, with Grier holding a gun. Walter Sheridan, an NBC correspondent, noted Kennedy’s speech and potential positioning of Sirian near him post-election. Alan Walden confirmed being at the hotel during the speech but did not witness the shooting. Mary Ann Wiegers described a girl in a polka-dot dress claiming she had shot Kennedy. Steven Atkins, an advance man for Kennedy’s campaign, left Los Angeles before the assassination and noted possible identity confusion with another couple. Other accounts mention police presence, medical personnel, and conflicting witness descriptions of the incident, including claims of gunfire or its absence.  

Key People  
- **Lansing Lamont**: Time correspondent; observed Kennedy in the serving kitchen after the shooting.  
- **Daryl Lembke**: Los Angeles Times reporter; heard screams and saw a woman with blood on her head.  
- **James Marooney**: NBC producer; described being near Kennedy during his speech and witnessing post-shooting chaos.  
- **John Marquand**: Journalist; observed Sirhan Sirhan in the serving kitchen, noting a confrontation.  
- **Steve Nelson**: Reporter; learned of the shooting via phone call from colleague.  
- **John Reguly**: Toronto Star correspondent; witnessed Sirian (likely Sirhan Sirhan) being restrained by Grier, Johnson, and an unknown man.  
- **Hillary Lamb**: Press room companion to Reguly; present during the event.  
- **Rosek Grier, Rafer Johnson, unknown white man**: Individuals restraining Sirian Sirhan.  
- **Sirian Sirhan**: Identified as the assassin, though not directly observed by all witnesses.  
- **Walter Sheridan**: NBC correspondent; reported Kennedy’s speech and potential positioning of Sirian near him.  
- **Alan Walden**: WINEW Radio reporter; present during the speech but did not witness the shooting.  
- **Mary Ann Wiegers**: Washington Post journalist; described a girl in a polka-dot dress claiming she had shot Kennedy.  
- **Steven Atkins**: Kennedy campaign advance man; left Los Angeles before the assassination.  
- **Linda Bond**: UC Santa Barbara student; attended the event but could not confirm details.  
- **Richard Coleman**: Los Angeles attorney; learned of the shooting via TV.  
- **William Hodges**: Substitute teacher, party attendee; observed a man with bushy dark hair in the Embassy Room.  
- **Jane Kearn**: American Film Institute secretary; noted Kennedy exiting opposite an aisle formed by workers.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Primary location for Kennedy’s speech and the assassination.  
- **Embassy Room**: Where Kennedy delivered his speech and where some witnesses were present.  
- **Serving Kitchen Area**: Site of the shooting and initial aftermath.  
- **Temporary Press Room**: Where Reguly and Lamb were present during the event.  
- **Colonial Room**: Mentioned as a press room where Kennedy was to give a press conference.  
- **Chancellor Hotel**: Location of Richard Coleman during the shooting.  
- **Manhattan Beach, California**: Hodges’ residence.  

Key Events  
- **Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s speech** at the Ambassador Hotel on June 4, 1968.  
- **Assassination of Senator Kennedy** in the serving kitchen area following his speech.  
- **Witness accounts of chaos, screams, and confusion** during and after the shooting.  
- **Identification of Sirhan Sirhan** as the individual involved in the confrontation, though not directly observed by all witnesses.  
- **Medical and police response** to the scene, including ambulance crews and law enforcement presence.  
- **Reports of a commotion and potential gunfire**, though some witnesses (e.g., Jane Kearn) heard no shots.  
- **Claims by a girl in a polka-dot dress** that she and others had shot Kennedy.  
- **Attempts by individuals (e.g., Coleman, Hodges)** to locate Sirian Sirhan or confirm details post-assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Documented witness statements for investigative purposes.  
- **National Broadcasting Company (NBC)**: Represented by James Marooney and Walter Sheridan.  
- **Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)**: Mentioned in relation to reporter Frant Mantitzas.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Noted in context of crowd control, security measures, and crime scene documentation.  
- **American Film Institute**: Jane Kearn’s employer.  
- **Washington Post**: Mary Ann Wiegers’ affiliation.  
- **Kennedy campaign**: Utilized the Embassy Room for the California primary celebration, with staff members like John B. Martin present.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_035_ser_1027_only-part_2_of_5.pdf

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