</s>PILE # I-1337 (x) INTERVIEWS PERSON INTERVIEWED: HAMILL, Pete DATE/TIME SEX RACE HAIR EYES HT WT DOB RESIDENCE ADDRESS 478 68th St ., Brooklyn N. Y. PHONE (212) 833-2930 BUSINESS ADDRESSS PHONE INFORMATION: (WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY & HOW) Near R.F.K. (WHO) when he was shot. Not interviewed by LAPD. Following is a synopsis of the FBI Interview of 8-5-68. Witness was on stage with Senator during the speech. After the speech, Witness was preceding the Senator through the pantry with George Plimpton R-1020 he looked back and observed the Senator shake hands with some people and then start to walk away. At that time Witness heard 5 shots in rapid succession. He saw Siwan standing about and he was firing a front of the Senator. If he took the tremendous concentration on his face. Witness gun. The Senator falling to the floor and someone catching him. Witness recalled George Plimpton rushing to the suspect & going for the gun. Rosie Grider "slammed" Sirhan into a table, according to Witness. kw/10-7-68 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail witness accounts of Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Pete Hamill, a stagehand, reported hearing five rapid shots and observing an individual firing from the front of the senator during his speech. He identified the suspect as Sirhan Sirhan, later confirmed by other witnesses. Rafer Johnson described RFK’s position near ice machines in the Embassy Room and witnessed the shooting sequence, confirming four to five shots fired before Kennedy fell. Rosie Grier and George Plimpton assisted in subduing Sirhan Sirhan after the attack. The suspect was found wearing blue denim pants and a jacket, with a black revolver recovered from him. Frank Mankiewicz, RFK’s press secretary, recounted Kennedy moving toward the Colonial Room post-speech and encountering Paul Schrade near the body. Ross-Matthew Mittler, MD, provided medical details of Kennedy’s condition, including pulse checks and fluid administration before transport to Good Samaritan Hospital. Warren Rogers, a journalist, described hearing what he believed were firecrackers and witnessing a struggle involving Sirhan Sirian (likely Sirhan Sirhan). Walter Sheridan noted RFK’s planned route through the kitchen area to avoid crowds, which may have been observed by the suspect. Theodore Sorensen, a campaign member, was present during the speech and later at the hospital. Jesse Unruh described chaos following the shooting, noting Sirhan Sirian was taken into police custody and made statements like “I did it for my country.” The FBI conducted interviews with witnesses, including Hamill, Johnson, and Sheridan, while the LAPD handled evidence and suspect apprehension.  

Key People  
- **Sirhan Sirhan**: Identified as the suspect who fired at RFK; described by multiple witnesses as a man in blue denim pants and a jacket with dark curly hair.  
- **Rosie Grier**: Subdued Sirhan Sirhan after the shooting.  
- **George Plimpton**: Assisted in restraining Sirhan Sirhan, described the suspect’s appearance and actions.  
- **Rafer Johnson**: Witnessed RFK’s movements during the speech, confirmed the shooting sequence, and participated in subduing the suspect.  
- **Bill Barry**: RFK’s bodyguard present during the event.  
- **Frank Mankiewicz**: RFK’s press secretary; described Kennedy’s movement toward the Colonial Room and encountering Paul Schrade near the body.  
- **Paul Schrade**: United Auto Workers official found near Kennedy’s body.  
- **Ross-Matthew Mittler, MD**: Provided medical details of Kennedy’s condition post-shooting.  
- **Warren Rogers**: Journalist with "Look!" Magazine; reported hearing firecrackers and witnessing a struggle involving Sirhan Sirian.  
- **Walter Sheridan**: NBC correspondent; detailed RFK’s planned route through the kitchen area.  
- **Theodore Sorensen**: Campaign member present during the speech and later at the hospital.  
- **Jesse Unruh**: California Speaker of the Assembly; described post-assassination chaos and Sirhan Sirian’s custody.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Site of RFK’s speech and assassination, including the Embassy Room, Colonial Room, and kitchen access hallway.  
- **Embassy Room**: Where RFK delivered his speech, with witnesses noting his position near ice machines.  
- **Colonial Room**: Location where some witnesses were present during the speech.  
- **Kitchen/Serving Area**: Site of the shooting, adjacent to the Embassy Room; RFK’s planned route to avoid crowds.  
- **Freight Elevator**: Used by RFK’s party to move between floors.  
- **Good Samaritan Hospital**: Where Kennedy was transported after being shot.  
- **Rampart Division, Central Division**: Police custody locations for Sirhan Sirian post-assassination.  

Key Events  
- **RFK’s Speech**: Delivered in the Embassy Room on June 5, 1968; witnesses described his position near ice machines and movement toward the Colonial Room.  
- **Assassination**: Five shots fired, resulting in RFK’s death; witnesses reported hearing four to five shots and observing Sirhan Sirhan firing from the kitchen area.  
- **Subduing the Suspect**: Rosie Grier, George Plimpton, Rafer Johnson, and others restrained Sirhan Sirhan after the shooting.  
- **Medical Response**: Ross-Matthew Mittler, MD, administered fluids and checked Kennedy’s pulse before transport to Good Samaritan Hospital.  
- **Post-Assassination Custody**: Sirhan Sirian was taken into police custody, making statements such as “I did it for my country.”  
- **Witness Accounts**: Multiple individuals described the suspect’s appearance, actions, and the sequence of events during the attack.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews with witnesses, including Pete Hamill, Rafer Johnson, Frank Mankiewicz, and Walter Sheridan, as part of the investigation.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Involved in handling evidence, suspect apprehension, and post-assassination procedures.  
- **United Auto Workers (UAW)**: Paul Schrade was a member of this organization.  
- **"Look!" Magazine**: Employed Warren Rogers, who provided testimony about the event.  
- **National Broadcasting Company (NBC)**: Associated with Walter Sheridan’s reporting on RFK’s movements and the assassination.

RFK Declassified Files

fbi_experience_rfk-2017_0108-box_003_folder_080-part_2_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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