A Deep Dive into the JFK Assassination

A Deep Dive into the JFK Assassination and Its Complex Web of Conspiracy Theories
Story by Jack Ripley  •
11/15/23
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The grassy knoll, where a second gunman was allegedly waiting
Some people believe that the "Umbrella Man" is a key person to watch in the Zapruder Film
Some people believe that Jack Ruby was a patsy who was set up to kill Oswald
Jack Ruby destroyed his life when he entered the JFK story

Three frames from the Zapruder film, which captured the assassination on film
Oswald was shot on live television two days after the assassination
Jack Ruby Claimed That He Was Emotionally Damaged When He Shot Oswald
The grassy knoll, where a second gunman was allegedly waiting
© Source: (Mark Bell)
November 22, 1963, marked a day that would forever reverberate through the annals of American history. On that fateful afternoon in Dallas, Texas, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in broad daylight, igniting a collective trauma that would grip the nation for decades to come. While the official account of Lee Harvey Oswald acting alone as the lone gunman has been etched into the public consciousness, a multitude of conspiracy theories emerged in the wake of this national tragedy.

Among the diverse conspiracy theories that will be explored in this gallery of intrigue, we will scrutinize Jack Ruby's alleged involvement as a patsy, raising questions about his motives and potential connections to powerful figures behind the scenes. We will delve into the shadows of the Cold War era and examine the Soviet Union's potential role, contemplating whether Kennedy's policies or personal vendettas could have led to his demise.

Furthermore, we will venture into the realm of political intrigue, where whispers persist of Lyndon B. Johnson's orchestration of the assassination, casting doubt on his path to the presidency and his purported motives for silencing Kennedy's voice. It is crucial to approach these conspiracy theories with an open mind, while remaining vigilant in our quest for truth. The story of the JFK assassination is not merely a historical relic but a prism through which we can examine the delicate interplay between power, secrecy, and the enduring human fascination with unraveling the unknown. Continue reading to discover the threads that weave this complex tapestry of intrigue, as we journey into the heart of the JFK assassination and its many connected conspiracy theories.

One of the enduring conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is the belief that there was a second gunman positioned on the grassy knoll in Dealey Plaza. According to this theory, in addition to Lee Harvey Oswald, another individual was involved in the shooting, firing from a different location. Proponents of this theory point to eyewitness accounts of hearing shots coming from the knoll, as well as the perceived trajectory of the bullets. They argue that the official explanation of a lone gunman fails to account for all the evidence and suggest a broader conspiracy to assassinate the president. However, investigations conducted by government agencies and independent researchers have concluded that there is no credible evidence to support the existence of a second gunman on the grassy knoll, and the official account attributing the assassination to Oswald acting alone remains widely accepted.

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Some people believe that the "Umbrella Man" is a key person to watch in the Zapruder Film
© Source: (The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza)
The presence of an individual known as the "umbrella man" on the day of President John F. Kennedy's assassination has sparked significant speculation and intrigue. This person stood out as the sole individual seen carrying and opening an umbrella on a sunny day. Positioned close to Kennedy when he was initially shot, the "umbrella man" raised the umbrella above his head and proceeded to spin or pan it from east to west as the president's motorcade passed by. Curiously, after the shooting, the "umbrella man" and another man referred to as the "Dark Complected Man" calmly sat down on the sidewalk before the "umbrella man" eventually walked towards the Texas School Book Depository. This unusual behavior has prompted suspicion and various theories regarding the role and motives of the "umbrella man." Early speculation by assassination researchers Josiah Thompson and Richard Sprague proposed that the umbrella's opening and subsequent gestures could have served as coded signals to coordinate further action among other potential gunmen.


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Some people believe that Jack Ruby was a patsy who was set up to kill Oswald.
© Source: (Robert L. White Collection)
There are some assassination skeptics that believe Jack Ruby was set up to shoot Lee Harvey Oswald through an intermediary, either the military or a federal agency, and possibly through the mafia. Because the real story has never come out there's no way to know the truth, but a letter written by Ruby to fellow inmate in Dallas County Jail in Thomas E. Miller states:

I hope you remember these names you have. There is one person you must warn, because Johnson hates his guts…his name is Bruce Alger, he was a former congressman, and no one knows how he was beaten in the last election but I’m sure Johnson had something to do with his losing...
Oh the way I [screwed] up this world who would ever dream that [Lyndon Johnson] was a Nazi, and found me as the perfect setup for a frame. It was perfect for them. Remember they had the president killed, and now with me in the picture, they'll make it look as though Castro or the Russians had it done. Anyone in their right mind would know that the Russians or Castro would never do something like that…it would only create worse hostilities. After it was done they would only put another man in office to take Kennedy’s place. Remember the only one who had all to gain was Johnson himself. Figure that out.