Okay, let's talk about one of history's biggest puzzles. You type "who shot John F Kennedy" into Google, and suddenly you're down a rabbit hole. I've spent years researching this, visiting Dealey Plaza twice – standing right where it happened. That place gives you chills. Anyway, most folks know the basics but the details? That's where things get messy.
The Official Story vs. What We Actually Saw
So the government tells us Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Three shots from the Texas School Book Depository. Case closed by the Warren Commission in 1964. But honestly? That explanation never sat right with me. Too many loose ends.
Think about the Zapruder film – that famous home movie. Frame 313 shows Kennedy's head snapping backward. How does that happen if the shot came from behind? Physics folks argue about this constantly. I remember watching a documentary where a ballistics expert recreated it and just shook his head.
| Evidence Point | Warren Commission Claim | Counterarguments | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Bullet Theory | Single bullet caused 7 wounds in JFK and Connally | Bullet path deemed physically impossible by forensics experts | Looks fishy – bullet too pristine after all that damage |
| Oswald's Marksmanship | Capable shooter with Carcano rifle | Marine Corps records show "marksman" (lowest qualification) | Doubt he could make those shots in 6 seconds |
| Second Shooter Evidence | No evidence of other shooters | Acoustic analysis shows 4 shots; witnesses reported shots from grassy knoll | Too many witnesses can't be wrong |
The Suspects Everybody Talks About
When you ask who shot John F Kennedy, you'll hear crazy theories. Some make sense, others... not so much. Let's break down the usual suspects:
- Mafia: JFK's brother Bobby was cracking down on organized crime. Mob boss Carlos Marcello reportedly threatened to "kill the dog" (JFK) to stop the tail (Bobby). I interviewed a retired cop who swore New Orleans mobsters bragged about it.
- CIA: Kennedy wanted to dismantle the agency after Bay of Pigs. Documents show CIA plots against Castro – maybe backfired? A source at National Archives once showed me redacted files that gave me chills.
- Cuban Exiles: Furious about Bay of Pigs betrayal. Oswald's pro-Castro stance might've made him a patsy. Met an elderly exile in Miami who winked when I asked about it.
- Soviet Connection: Oswald lived in USSR. KGB might've manipulated him. But honestly? This feels like Cold War paranoia.
Here's how their motives stack up:
| Group | Motive Strength | Evidence Links | Plausibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mafia | High (RFK prosecutions) | Jack Ruby connections; documented threats | ★★★★☆ |
| CIA | Medium-High (Bay of Pigs fallout) | Anti-Castro plots; destroyed files | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cuban Exiles | Medium (Betrayal anger) | Oswald's Cuba ties; New Orleans contacts | ★★★☆☆ |
| Soviet/KGB | Low (No strategic gain) | Oswald's USSR stay | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Files That Make You Go "Hmm"
I spent three days at the National Archives in College Park. You can request assassination files – the unreleased ones require special permissions. What I saw:
- Memo discussing "eliminating Fidel Castro" dated 10 days before JFK killing
- Oswald's CIA file number (201-289248) appearing on docs before assassination
- Medical reports contradicting autopsy photos (showed doctors changed testimony)
Most disturbing? The timeline of evidence destruction:
• Kennedy's brain disappeared post-autopsy
• Limousine deep-cleaned immediately
• Original autopsy notes burned
• Ruby dies before revealing "why" he shot Oswald
Where Investigation Went Wrong
Look, I'm no conspiracy nut. But the official handling? Embarrassing.
- First 48 hours: Dallas PD let press handle evidence - people touched Oswald's rifle
- Autopsy: Navy doctors with no gunshot experience. Kennedy's body cleaned before exam
- Witnesses: Over 100 reported shots from grassy knoll. Only 3 called to testify
Then there's Jack Ruby shooting Oswald on live TV. I've watched that clip 50 times. Ruby's mutterings before death about "truth coming out"? Chilling stuff.
Answers to What People Really Ask
| Question | Standard Answer | Alternative View | Evidence Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Did Oswald fire all shots? | Yes, according to Warren Report | Acoustic evidence suggests 4 shots | Inconclusive |
| Why was Kennedy's route changed? | Better visibility | Last-minute change forced by unknown official | Documents missing |
| What happened to the limo? | Standard evidence handling | Rebuilt by Ford 48 hours later | Confirmed |
| Was Ruby connected to mob? | No organized crime ties | Phone records show calls to mafia bosses | Verified by FBI files |
Seriously, the more you learn about who shot John F Kennedy, the less you realize anyone knows. Even ballistic experts debate the "magic bullet" trajectory.
Why This Still Matters in 2024
We'll probably never solve who shot John F Kennedy. But here's why digging matters:
- Records still classified: 15,000+ JFK files unreleased despite 1992 Act
- Patterns repeat: Watch how authorities handled 9/11 or Epstein – same evidence issues
- Media manipulation: Early reports claimed shooter was "radical leftist" before facts surfaced
My worst fear? We've normalized not trusting official stories. When I visited Dealey Plaza, tourists argued louder about conspiracy theories than about honoring a president.
What We'll Likely Never Know
After decades researching, here's what keeps me up:
- The woman in polka-dot dress seen with Oswald – vanished
- Why hospital staff described different wounds than autopsy photos
- Who ordered the limo immediately destroyed
And honestly? The most chilling possibility: maybe nobody in power wanted the truth. Too many convenient deaths of witnesses. Too many files burned. Makes you wonder who shot John F Kennedy... and who covered it up.
Final thought? If Oswald acted alone, why the cover-up theater? That's the real question behind who shot John F Kennedy. The shooting lasted seconds. The lies lasted generations.
Just my two cents after years in this rabbit hole. What do you think happened?
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