JFK Second Shooter Theory Gains New Traction
The JFK second shooter theory is back in the spotlight after newly released assassination documents failed to answer lingering questions. Historian Peter Lucas says the files leave out critical explanations about the direction of the fatal shot and Oswald’s sniper position.
One major point of concern is the physics of the kill shot. Kennedy’s head jerks backward in the footage, despite Oswald shooting from the rear. “It looks like he was hit from the front,” Lucas said. He believes this supports the long-standing idea of a second gunman on the grassy knoll.
Grassy Knoll Evidence Revisited
Supporters of the JFK second shooter theory argue that the grassy knoll near the motorcade path was an ideal hidden location for a second attacker. While no conclusive proof has emerged, years of grainy footage and eyewitness accounts have kept the theory alive.
Lucas argues that Kennedy’s head motion in the Zapruder film suggests more than one shooter. “The official explanation doesn’t fit what we see on film,” he added. These visual inconsistencies continue to raise doubts about the lone gunman theory.
New Files Leave Crucial Questions Unanswered
The Trump administration’s release of 63,000 previously redacted documents was expected to shed light on possible conspiracies. But while the files offer insight into Cold War intelligence and CIA operations, they do not explain the physical evidence that supports the JFK second shooter theory.
Some documents reference Oswald’s poor marksmanship and even a CIA warning about a possible assassination in August 1963. Yet, the files do little to challenge the Warren Commission’s conclusion that Oswald acted alone.
The Lone Gunman Theory Still Dominates
The Warren Commission, formed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, concluded that Oswald was the sole assassin. Although many of the commission’s findings remain widely accepted, skepticism has endured for decades. Oswald was arrested shortly after the shooting but was killed by nightclub owner Jack Ruby two days later. Ruby died in prison from cancer, further fueling theories of a broader cover-up.
Critics believe Ruby silenced Oswald before he could reveal more. The JFK second shooter theory often ties this action into a larger narrative involving the CIA or other government forces.
Public Fascination Remains Strong
The JFK assassination continues to fascinate the public more than 60 years later. The JFK second shooter theory stands out among the many proposed explanations because of its grounding in visible footage and eyewitness accounts.
As the National Archives releases more documents, many hope new evidence will finally resolve the mystery. Until then, theories about a second gunman—hidden in plain sight—will continue to capture public imagination.
