Kennedy Assassinated 43 Years Ago Today

From the AP archive: 

Nov. 22, 1963

JFK Assassinated

 DALLAS, Nov. 22 (AP) - President Kennedy was shot today just as his motorcade left downtown Dallas. Mrs. Kennedy jumped up and grabbed Mr. Kennedy. She cried, ''Oh, No!'' The motorcade sped on.

AP Photographer James W. Altgens said he saw blood on the president's head.

Altgens said he heard two shots but thought someone was shooting fireworks until he saw the blood on the President.

Altgens said he saw no one with a gun.

AP Reporter Jack Bell asked Kenneth O'Donnell, President Assistant, if Kennedy was dead. O'Donnell gave no answer.

Kennedy was reported taken to Parkland Hospital, near the Dallas Trade Mart, where he was to have made a speech.

Bell reported three shots were fired as the motorcade entered the triple underpass which leads to the Stemmons Freeway route to Parkland Hospital.

Pandemonium broke loose around the scene.

The secret service waved the motorcade on at top speed to the hospital.

Even at high speed it took nearly five minutes to get the car to the ambulance entrance of the hospital.

Reporters saw Kennedy lying flat on his face on the seat of his car.

Bell said a man and a woman were scrambling on the upper level of a walkway overlooking the underpass.

Lawrence O'Brien, Presidential Aide, said he had no information.

Nov. 22, 1963