</s>Volume Number CLASSIFICATION Senials 62-WF-9578 - - BUREAU GATION 1 - J. Justifier FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER FBI -WASHINGTON DC WF-CENTRAL RECORDES CENTER Class/ Case # Sub Vol Serial # Class/Case # 1 1 OPEN Close / Case # 7/08/21817 0609 1128 RRP00XLXNI See also Nos 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178 FD245 RELAY / 21.480

Summary  
The documents detail interactions between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Veterans Administration (VA) officials regarding SVEN ERIC DOSS, a man identified as having made threats against Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Between March and June 1967, multiple communications were exchanged about DOSS’s movements, financial requests, and potential threat to RFK. On March 3, 1967, DOSS left the VA Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, for Washington, D.C., stating his intent to kill several people, including Kennedy. His sister, CHRISTINE KENNITZ, was noted as a recipient of his Social Security checks and was threatened by him for withholding funds. The VA reported that DOSS had called their office on March 3, claiming he received $150 by wire from KENNITZ. On March 9, 1967, DOSS was arrested in Washington, D.C., for disorderly conduct after being observed acting erratically at a bus terminal and later committed to St. Elizabeth’s Mental Hospital for competency evaluation.  

In late May and early June 1967, DOSS sent postcards requesting financial assistance from KENNITZ and the VA in St. Petersburg, Florida. On June 9, 1967, VA officials received a postcard from DOSS in Ocala, Florida, stating his intent to travel to New York City for baseball. A telephone call from DOSS in Savannah, Georgia, on the same date indicated he was out of funds and sought financial help. The FBI and local police were alerted to DOSS’s presence in Savannah and St. Petersburg, with concerns about potential threats against RFK. The VA and FBI coordinated efforts to monitor DOSS’s activities, including his alleged plans to proceed to New York City. No active investigation was conducted by the FBI in Tampa or New York regarding DOSS, though agencies were advised to notify the Secret Service if DOSS approached RFK’s office or residence.  

Key People  
- **SVEN ERIC DOSS**: A white male born March 18, 1922, in Mora, Sweden, naturalized U.S. citizen; diagnosed with schizophrenia and deemed incompetent in four states; made threats against Senator Robert F. Kennedy.  
- **CHRISTINE KENNITZ**: Doss’s sister in Detroit, Michigan; recipient of his Social Security checks; threatened by Doss for withholding funds.  
- **PHIL WRIGHT**: Legal Officer at the VA Regional Office (VARO) in St. Petersburg, Florida; received communications from DOSS regarding financial assistance.  
- **DR. MAURIS M. PLATKIN**: Physician in charge of John Howard Division at St. Elizabeths Hospital; informed KENNITZ about DOSS’s discharge.  
- **JOSEPH D. PURVIS**: FBI Special Agent in Charge who coordinated responses to the threat.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Petersburg, Florida**: VA Regional Office where DOSS requested financial aid and was monitored for potential threats.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: Site of the Greyhound Bus Terminal where DOSS was arrested; location of St. Elizabeths Hospital where he was committed.  
- **Detroit, Michigan**: Location of CHRISTINE KENNITZ’s residence.  
- **Savannah, Georgia**: DOSS claimed to be in the area without funds; local police were alerted to his presence.  
- **Ocala, Florida**: DOSS sent a postcard indicating plans to travel to New York City.  

Key Events  
- **March 3, 1967**: DOSS left St. Petersburg, Florida, for Washington, D.C., stating his intent to kill multiple people, including Senator Robert F. Kennedy.  
- **March 9, 1967**: DOSS arrested at the Greyhound Bus Terminal in Washington, D.C., for disorderly conduct; committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital for competency evaluation.  
- **May 15, 1967**: Dr. PLATKIN informed KENNITZ that DOSS had been discharged from St. Elizabeths Hospital.  
- **June 9, 1967**: VA in St. Petersburg received a postcard from DOSS in Ocala, Florida, stating his intent to travel to New York City for baseball; DOSS called from Savannah, Georgia, seeking financial assistance.  
- **June 13, 1967**: WRIGHT reported that DOSS had returned to St. Petersburg and provided details about his activities, including interactions with locals and financial requests.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance on DOSS; coordinated with VA and other agencies regarding potential threats against RFK.  
- **Veterans Administration (VA)**: Provided medical records and information on DOSS’s history; monitored his activities in St. Petersburg, Florida.  
- **Secret Service**: Notified of the threat to Senator Robert F. Kennedy.  
- **Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Park Police**: Involved in monitoring DOSS’s movements and responding to the threat.  
- **New York City Police Department (NYCPD)**: Involved in monitoring DOSS’s movements due to RFK’s residence in New York.

RFK Declassified Files

62-wf-9578_sec_001_ser_1-.pdf

Document Summary

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