Fact check: Did Lee Harvey Oswald kill JFK?

1. Summary of the results

The question of whether Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK has multiple layers of complexity. The Warren Commission, in its 888-page report from September 24, 1964, definitively concluded that Oswald acted alone and fired the fatal shots from the sixth-floor window of the Texas School Book Depository ^[1]. However, this conclusion has faced significant challenges over time. By 1976, an overwhelming 81% of Americans disputed the Warren Report's findings ^[1], and a 2013 poll showed 61% of Americans believed in a conspiracy ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are important to consider:

• The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) in 1979 concluded that Kennedy was "probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy" and suggested the presence of two shooters, though they couldn't identify other potential gunmen ^{[3] [4]}
• Oswald himself claimed to be a "patsy" before being killed by Jack Ruby ^[5]
• While the CIA has explicitly denied any involvement, calling such claims "utterly false and absurd" ^[6], ongoing document redactions continue to fuel speculation about potential CIA involvement ^[4]
• Investigations could not prove definitive involvement of government agencies, Cuba, or the Soviet Union ^[3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question oversimplifies a highly complex historical event. Several groups have vested interests in different narratives:

• Government institutions: The Warren Commission and CIA benefit from maintaining the lone gunman theory, as it prevents implications of institutional failure or involvement ^[6]
• Alternative researchers and media: Those who promote conspiracy theories benefit from continued public interest and skepticism
• Historical record: The ongoing release of classified documents suggests that even after 60+ years, there is continued uncertainty about the full circumstances of Kennedy's assassination ^[3]

The truth appears to lie somewhere between the official narrative and complete conspiracy theories, with multiple official investigations reaching different conclusions about whether Oswald acted alone or as part of a larger conspiracy.