Who Assassinated President John F. Kennedy?

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy is one of the most debated and mysterious events in American history. The government officially claimed that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Many people still believe there is more to the story. Questions about hidden motives, secret involvement, and what truly happened that day have never faded away. Before exploring the popular theories today, we need to go back to November 22, 1963. That day in Dallas is where everything changed.

What Happened on November 22, 1963?

On that day, President Kennedy was in Texas to build support for the 1964 election and to ease the political tensions within the state. His plan was to travel through Dallas in a motorcade, including the open-top 1961 Lincoln Continental and a secret service follow-up car riding close behind. The driver, William Greer, and agent Roy Kellerman sat in the front of the car, with Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie, seated in the middle. President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy sat in the rear. They started at Love Field, planning to go to downtown Dallas, and then to Trade Mart for a lunch speech. But as the motorcade made its way toward the heart of the city, no one knew within the next hour, the nation would change forever. 

Crowds of people lined the streets to watch the President pass through downtown. At 12:29 p.m., the motorcade makes a slow left turn from Houston Street onto Elm Street, directly in front of the Texas School Book Depository building. The limousine was moving at about 11 miles per hour because of the tight turn, when at 12:30, shots were fired. These were later believed to be coming from the 6th floor of the Texas School Book Depository building. President Kennedy was struck by bullets, including a fatal shot to the head, along with Texas Governor John Connally who was also seriously wounded. Secret Service agent Clint Hill ran toward the limousine and climbed into the back to shield the Kennedys. At around 12:36, the presidential limousine arrived at Parkland Hospital where doctors immediately began emergency treatment inside Trauma Room 1. Doctors officially declared President John F. Kennedy dead at 1:00 p.m.

After the assassination, Dallas Police broadcasted a radio alert with a general description of the man they believed was involved. Officer J.D. Tippit was driving in the Oak Cliff neighborhood looking for anyone that matched the description. That is when he saw Lee Harvey Oswald walking down the street and stopped his patrol car to question him. When Tippit stepped out of his car to approach Oswald, Oswald suddenly pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times before running off. Several witnesses saw him running from the scene and pointed officers in the direction he ran. Oswald went into the Texas Theatre without buying a ticket, which caught the attention of the theater employees. This led them to call the police, and when they arrived they tried arresting Oswald, but he resisted. He tried to pull his gun again, and a struggle broke out. Officers were able to get the gun away from him and officially take him into custody around 1:50 p.m. 

At 2:38 p.m., Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President aboard Air Force One at Love Field. Jackie Kennedy stood beside him during the ceremony, still wearing her blood-stained pink suit from the shooting, refusing to change so the world would see the reality of what had happened to her husband. This moment marked the official transfer of power, and it became the turning point that would shape the future of American History. Two days after his arrest, Lee Harvey Oswald was shot and killed while being transported to jail, which only made people question the truth even more and led many to believe he wasn’t acting alone.

Theory 1: The Second Shooter

The second shooter theory claims that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone in the assassination of President Kennedy. Supporters of this theory insist a second gunman fired from Dealey Plaza, specifically from the grassy knoll positioned on the front right side of the motorcade. A major reason this theory became so strong is because many witnesses reported hearing gunfire from more than one direction. 

Right after the shots rang out, people in the crowd sprinted toward the grassy knoll instead of the Texas School Book Depository. Some eyewitnesses, including police officers, said they saw smoke, shadows, or movement in that area immediately following the shooting. The Zapruder film became a major piece of evidence in this theory. In the film, Kennedy’s head appears to move backward after the impact, which some believe means that at least one bullet came from in front of him, not behind him where Oswald was located. 

Supporters of this theory also argue that the timing of the shots did not make sense for a single shooter. Oswald used a bolt-action rifle that required him to manually reload between each shot. People who doubt the official story say it would have been extremely difficult for Oswald to fire multiple precise shots in such a short period of time, while aiming at a moving target from the sixth floor of a building. 

In 1979, the House Select Committee on Assassinations reported that acoustic evidence suggested that there was likely a second gunman, which made the theory even stronger. Because this came from a government investigation, it caused long-lasting doubt about the official explanation. Today, many people still believe the second shooter theory, and it remains the foundation for most other conspiracy theories about JFK’s assassination.

Theory 2: CIA Involvement

Another major conspiracy theory claims the CIA played a role in Kennedy’s assassination. Supporters of this idea argue that some members of the CIA wanted Kennedy removed because he was beginning to challenge their power and their role in foreign affairs. After the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, Kennedy became furious with the CIA and even talked about breaking the agency into smaller pieces. People who believe this theory say that the CIA saw Kennedy as a threat to their control and their plans during the Cold War. 

There are also claims that Kennedy was planning to reduce American involvement in Vietnam, and some think this went against what certain CIA leaders wanted at the time. Kennedy pushed to shift U.S. foreign policy, and that move could have created powerful enemies inside the government. Because the CIA had access to advanced intelligence, powerful connections, and secret global operations, people argue that the agency had the ability to organize or assist in a plot without anyone knowing.

This theory grew stronger as the government kept assassination files classified for decades, which fueled suspicion about what they were hiding. For a lot of people, the idea that the CIA could have played a role fits that belief that Kennedy’s death was not just a random act, but a planned decision carried out by those with something to gain from removing him from office.

Theory 3: Mafia Involvement

Another major conspiracy theory is the belief that the Mafia played a role in Kennedy’s assassination. Supporters of this theory argue that organized crime leaders had several motives to want Kennedy removed. During his presidency, Kennedy’s brother, Robert Kennedy, was the U.S. Attorney General and was aggressively cracking down on the Mafia. He pushed harder than any previous administration to shut down their illegal gambling operations, money laundering, and illegal profits. Many people believe the Mafia felt threatened by this pressure and wanted to stop the government from destroying their power. 

Some versions say the Mafia helped Kennedy win the 1960 election. They influenced key votes, especially in Chicago. They believe the Mafia felt betrayed when Kennedy and his brother later targeted them. This idea suggests that the Mafia wanted revenge and saw eliminating the President as the only way to protect themselves. Supporters also point to Jack Ruby. The man who killed Oswald two days later had known ties to organized crime. Many believe he silenced Oswald before he could name anyone else involved. 

Supporters say the Mafia had the motive and resources. They also believe the Mafia could coordinate the plan without leaving evidence. Even today, Mafia involvement remains one of the most debated explanations for who may have been behind the assassination.

In Conclusion

The assassination of John F. Kennedy remains one of the most mysterious and debated events in American history. The official report says Oswald acted alone. But these theories still raise serious questions about what really happened that day. The second shooter, the CIA, and the Mafia each offer different explanations to keep this case alive decades later. 

If this theory got you thinking, share it with someone who would want to uncover the mystery too. Check out what the FBI has to say here: JFK Assassination

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