Dealey Plaza Shooting
At approximately 12:30 p.m., as the President’s open limousine turned from Houston Street onto Elm Street and slowed to roughly 11 miles per hour while descending toward the railroad overpass, shots were fired in rapid succession. The first bullet struck the President in the back of the neck, exiting the front of his neck and nicking the left lower knot of his necktie; the second struck Governor Connally in the back, traveling through his chest, right wrist, and left thigh; the third and fatal bullet struck the President in the back of the head, causing a massive, lethal wound. Secret Service agents responded immediately: Agent Clinton J. Hill jumped from the followup car to shield the President and First Lady in the limousine, while Agent Roy H. Kellerman ordered driver William R. Greer to speed directly to Parkland Memorial Hospital 4 miles away.
Transport to Parkland Hospital
Immediately after the shooting, Secret Service agents moved to protect the presidential party and expedite transport to medical care. Agent Hill climbed onto the rear of the limousine to shield the stricken President and Mrs. Kennedy as Greer accelerated the vehicle at high speed toward Parkland Memorial Hospital. The Dallas Police Department had already alerted the hospital’s medical team to the President’s impending arrival via radio message from the motorcade, ensuring staff were ready to provide immediate care upon the vehicle’s arrival.
Presidential Death and Succession
At Parkland Hospital, physicians attempted to save the President’s life, performing a tracheotomy to address his neck wound and breathing issues, but were unable to detect a pulse after all heart activity ceased at 1 p.m. President Kennedy was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, with last rites administered by a priest. Governor Connally underwent surgery and survived his serious wounds. Upon confirmation of the President’s death, Vice President Johnson departed Parkland under close guard for Love Field, where he was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States by Federal District Court Judge Sarah T. Hughes at 2:38 p.m. in the central compartment of the presidential plane, which departed immediately for Washington, D.C.
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