Key Answer
President John F. Kennedy was shot in the back and upper right front of the head. The first bullet entered the upper back, right above the right scapula, and exited the front of the throat. The second bullet entered the right rear temple and exited the front right side of the skull, causing massive brain injury. These details are recorded in the official autopsy and reinvestigation reports, supported by photographs, measurements, and multiple corroborating accounts from medical personnel and forensic analysts.
Context: The Events of November 22, 1963
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, when he was struck by gunfire. The shooting occurred around 12:30 p.m. Central Time. Moments after the shots, Kennedy was slumped forward, and Texas Governor John Connally, who was seated in front of him, was also wounded. The sequence of events, vehicle speed, and positions within the car shaped how medical evidence was collected and interpreted in the aftermath.
Immediate Medical Response at Parkland Hospital
Initial Treatment and Transport
Emergency teams at Parkland Memorial Hospital treated Kennedy upon arrival. Doctors and nurses worked to stabilize him, addressing the severe trauma to the head and neck. The entry and exit wounds were documented, photographed, and described in medical notes. Although attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, the clinical observations made at Parkland became central to later investigations and forensic analyses.
Autopsy at Bethesda Naval Medical Center
Following the hospital pronouncement, the president’s body was transported to Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland for a formal autopsy. The procedure was conducted by military pathologists under Secret Service and FBI supervision. External and internal examinations recorded precise wound locations, trajectories, and tissue damage. This autopsy produced the primary official description of the shots’ entry and exit points, which has remained foundational in subsequent reviews.
Official Findings on Wound Locations
According to the Warren Commission and later reinvestigations, the first bullet (often called the "single-bullet" or "magic bullet") entered at the upper back, right above the right scapula, and exited the front of the throat. The second, more severe shot entered the right rear temple and exited the front right side of the skull. The trajectories suggested a shooter positioned in the sixth-floor southeast window of the Texas School Book Depository, aligning with the observed wound paths.
| Wound | Location and Trajectory | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Back Wound | Upper back, right above the scapula; exited front throat | Autopsy and medical reports |
| Head Wound | Entered right rear temple; exited front right skull | Autopsy, photographs, forensic analysis |
Forensic Analysis and Photographic Evidence
Medical Imaging and Photographs
Autopsy photographs captured the entrance and exit wounds in detail, providing visual confirmation of the trajectories. Experts have since analyzed these images, along with X-rays and other records, to map the bullet paths. The condition of the skull, the presence of gaping wounds, and the distribution of tissue damage all corroborate the described entry and exit points.
Reinvestigations and the Assassination Records Review Board
Later reviews, including the 1992 Assassination Records Review Board and subsequent reinvestigations, reaffirmed the core findings regarding the wounds. Although some materials were withheld or redacted for national security, the essential medical conclusions remained consistent. This continuity across multiple reviews supports the reliability of the documented wound locations.
Comparison: Official Reports vs. Public Perception
Despite the clarity of the official findings, public understanding has evolved through films, documentaries, and alternative theories. Some suggest multiple shooters or different wound locations, but these claims often conflict with the physical evidence, including bullet trajectories, autopsy results, and contemporaneous medical records. Understanding the distinction between verified forensic data and speculation is critical when assessing the details of the shooting.
Why Wound Location Details Matter
Clarifying where on JFK’s body he was shot helps establish the number of shooters, firing positions, and the sequence of events. Accurate wound mapping is essential for historical accuracy, for honoring the complexity of the investigation, and for distinguishing evidence-based conclusions from conjecture. These details also inform broader studies in forensic pathology, ballistics, and historical analysis.