</s>2 NY 44-1640 BARRY pointed to a corridor to the pantry. HAMILL and PLIMPINGTON went out that way which was down the nearby stairs and HAMILL saw not see Senator KENNEDY leave the podium. HAMILI was HAMILL did not see Senate Kennedy in the front of HAMILL was walking along with GEORGE PLIMPTON in front of the Senator Kennedy next saw Senator Kennedy's right pantry: HAMILL was KENNEOY and to his Senator KENEDY) in the right about ten feet. HAMILL did did not know that Senator KennEDY's in front was ten feet." HAMILL didn't know that senator Kennedy was was headed for "The Factory" where a party was to be held. As HAMILL waswalking along with looking back, held. He saw senator Kennedy turn to his left to shake he saw Senator KNNEDY turn his party to shake with this individual, he (senator Kennedy) turned to continue walking straight ahead. At this time that HAMILL thought were five shots were fired in very HAMILL would have five shots fired in the very who was standing in front and to the Senate Kennedy's left about seven or eight feet with his (SIRHILL) s) arm fully extended and his face in tremendous concentration shooting a gun at the floor and his Senate Kennedy. was shooting to the floor or someone caught Senator Kennedy KENNEDLY. ROSIE GRILIER ran by HAMILL AND "glammed" SIRHAN into a table. GEORGE PIMPLETON rushed over to SHIRAN and went for the gun. RAPER JOHNSON came out of somewhere and HAMILLE thinkings that JOHNNSON got the gun ... SIRIHAN was sent thinkings THAT JOHNSON got to the gun .. SIRIAN was thrown up on a table" or group of tables and "sild down to the end of the table" on tables. There was much yelling and noise and HAMILIL was momentarily "stupidly" He then looked at his watch. It was 12:12 a.m. , June 1968, HAMILL heard people saying that such thing was done, Dune 1968, "Why did you do it?" HAMILL DID not hear SIRIRAN say anything. HAMILL didn not hear say anything." Why did you did do it? " HAMILL stated that he did not See or notice SIRIRIAN before the shooting. HAMILLE did not touch SIRRHAN. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents provide detailed accounts of the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968, as well as subsequent witness statements, police procedures, and investigative efforts. Multiple witnesses, including Pete HAMILL, Rafer JOHNSON, George PLIMPTON, Warren ROGERS, Walter SHERIDAN, John WILLIAM LEWIS, Frank MANKIEWICZ, Dr. ROSS-MATTHEW MITTLER, and Paul SCHRADE, described the sequence of events during Kennedy’s speech in the Embassy Room and the shooting that occurred as he exited through the kitchen area. Sirhan Sirhan was identified as the suspect, who fired multiple shots from close range before being subdued by individuals such as Rosie GRIER, PLIMPTON, and others. The suspect was transported to police divisions for custody, with records noting his arrest at Rampart Division around 12:43 a.m. Kennedy’s injuries were assessed by medical personnel, including Dr. MITTLER, who coordinated emergency response efforts before he was transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital. The FBI conducted interviews with witnesses and officials, while the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) managed post-shooting procedures. Some documents reference unrelated topics, such as a victory celebration at a Hollywood discotheque and interviews with SANDOR VANOCUR, who claimed to have been with Kennedy during the evening.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Sirhan**: Identified as the suspect who fired multiple shots at Kennedy; subdued by witnesses before being arrested.  
- **Pete HAMILL**: Witness who observed Kennedy shaking hands before the shooting and described the suspect’s actions.  
- **Rafer JOHNSON**: Eyewitness detailing the suspect’s position in the kitchen area and involvement in subduing him.  
- **George PLIMPTON**: Campaign worker who witnessed the struggle with Sirhan and assisted in restraining him.  
- **Warren ROGERS**: Magazine editor who reported hearing gunfire and encountering Sirhan in the kitchen.  
- **Walter SHERIDAN**: NBC correspondent with details on Kennedy’s movements and Sirhan’s potential prior observation of hotel security routes.  
- **John WILLIAM LEWIS**: CBS crew member present during Kennedy’s speech, filmed the aftermath, and observed Schrade on the floor.  
- **Frank MANKIEWICZ**: Kennedy’s press secretary who noted his route to the Colonial Room and described hearing gunfire.  
- **Dr. ROSS-MATTHEW MITTLER**: Surgeon at the hotel who examined Kennedy’s injuries and coordinated medical response.  
- **Paul SCHRADE**: United Auto Workers official found on the floor near Kennedy’s body.  
- **Rosie GRIER**: Subdued Sirhan by slamming him into a table before handing him over to police.  
- **SANDOR VANOCUR**: Claimed to have been with Kennedy during the evening, interacting with REKA and others; noted certain individuals were not interviewed by the FBI.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Site of Kennedy’s speech and assassination; described as crowded with media and staff.  
- **Embassy Room**: Location of Kennedy’s victory speech; where witnesses reported hearing gunfire.  
- **Kitchen/Serving Area**: Where the shooting occurred, with multiple witnesses describing Sirhan’s position.  
- **Freight Elevator**: Used to transport Kennedy after the shooting.  
- **Good Samaritan Hospital**: Where Kennedy was transferred for treatment.  
- **Rampart Division (Los Angeles Police Department)**: Site of Sirhan’s arrest around 12:43 a.m.  
- **Central Division (Los Angeles Police Department)**: Where Sirhan was later transported.  
- **Hollywood, California**: Mentioned in reference to a victory celebration at a discotheque.  

Key Events  
- **Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy**: Occurred during his speech in the Embassy Room on June 5, 1968; five shots fired from close range by Sirhan Sirhan.  
- **Subduing the Suspect**: Multiple individuals (GRIER, PLIMPTON, JOHNSON, ROGERS) subdued Sirhan before police intervention.  
- **Kennedy’s Injuries and Transport**: Kennedy was found lying on the floor with visible wounds; transported via freight elevator to Good Samaritan Hospital.  
- **Witness Accounts**: Including Lewis’s filming of the aftermath, Mankiewicz’s observations of Kennedy’s movements, and Sheridan’s details on Sirhan’s potential prior knowledge of hotel security routes.  
- **Medical Examination**: Dr. MITTLER assessed Kennedy’s injuries, administered fluids, and coordinated emergency response.  
- **Arrest Procedures**: Sirhan was taken into custody at Rampart Division and later transported to Central Division.  
- **Victory Celebration**: Mentioned in reference to a discotheque in Hollywood where Kennedy’s staff were invited.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews with witnesses, including HAMILL, JOHNSON, PLIMPTON, and VANOCUR; involved in the investigation.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Managed post-shooting procedures, including securing Sirhan’s gun and handling custody transfers.  
- **Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)**: Covered the event via film crew, with LEWIS documenting the aftermath.  
- **United Auto Workers (UAW)**: Schrade was a member of this organization.  
- **Southern Regional Council**: Referenced in LEWIS’s statement about his prior involvement with Kennedy’s campaign.

RFK Declassified Files

fbi_experience_rfk-2017_0108-box_003_folder_078-part_2_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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