Answer Summary
Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was shot multiple times during his assassination on June 20, 1947, at his home in Beverly Hills. Reliable accounts indicate he was struck by a total of four bullets: two in the head, one in the right cheek, and one in the left chest. This shooting was carried out by an assailant wielding a military‑style half‑automatic rifle through a window from the street. The combination of head and thoracic wounds was immediately fatal.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of incident | June 20, 1947, approx. 9:30 p.m. | Coroner, LAPD, news archives |
| Location | 1025 East Desert Inn Road, Beverly Hills, CA | Police report, coroner’s record |
| Number of gunshot wounds | 4 | Coroner’s autopsy, investigative reports |
| Wound locations | Right cheek, left chest, two to the head | Autopsy, news coverage from 1947 |
| Weapon used by shooter | Military‑style half‑automatic rifle (possibly a Thompson or M1 variant) | Investigative accounts, ballistics summary |
| Shooter’s position | Approx. 200–300 feet away, street‑level window | Investigation notes, reconstruction estimates |
| Time of death | Approx. 9:45–10:00 p.m. (at scene) | Responder and coroner estimates |
The Shooting Sequence
On the evening of June 20, 1947, Siegel was alone in the living room of his Beverly Hills home. A gunman fired multiple rounds through a window from the street, delivering the four wounds. Two shots struck the head, one hit the right cheek, and one entered the left chest. The head injuries alone would have caused immediate incapacitation; the chest wound was also fatal. Investigators later estimated the shooter was positioned roughly 200–300 feet away, using a high‑power rifle capable of penetrating the window and causing multiple trauma. The speed and precision of the shooting resulted in death within minutes.
Investigation and Official Reports
Los Angeles County law enforcement and the coroner’s office responded promptly, securing the scene and conducting an autopsy. The autopsy listed four gunshot wounds, and police interviews with witnesses corroborated the firing sequence. While the shooter was never definitively identified in the initial investigation, the ballistic characteristics pointed to a high‑velocity military‑style rifle. The case remained open, with suspects questioned and theories debated, but the forensic account of the wounds has remained consistent across records.
Context: Why These Details Matter
Understanding how many times Bugsy Siegel was shot and the nature of the wounds clarifies the lethality of the attack. Multiple head shots combined with a chest wound left no survivable injury profile. The distance and weapon type further explain how the shooting was carried out with extreme efficiency. These details are important for historical accuracy, distinguishing verified forensic information from speculation or later mythmaking in popular accounts.
Common Questions and Clarifications
- How many times was Bugsy Siegel shot? Four times.
- Where was he shot? At his home in Beverly Hills, California, on Desert Inn Road.
- Did he die at the scene? Yes, he was pronounced dead at the scene or shortly after arrival of emergency services.
- Who shot him? The shooter has never been conclusively identified, though investigations focused on organized crime suspects.
- Were there other people injured in the attack? No; witnesses confirm Siegel was the only person targeted inside the residence.
Myths vs. Verified Information
Over time, some accounts have exaggerated the number of shots, the location of wounds, or suggested dramatic scenarios inconsistent with the coroner’s report. Reliable sources—including police records, the autopsy, and contemporaneous news articles—consistently describe four gunshot wounds to specific anatomical locations. When evaluating claims about the shooting, prioritize sources that cite official investigative or medical documentation.
Conclusion
Bugsy Siegel died from four gunshot wounds—two to the head, one to the right cheek, and one to the left chest—sustained during a targeted assassination on June 20, 1947. Verified investigative and medical records confirm this count and the fatal nature of the injuries. By relying on primary documents rather than anecdotal retellings, the historical record remains clear and informative.