President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. The shooting occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. Central Time as the motorcade traveled east on Elm Street toward downtown. Based on investigations led by the Warren Commission and later reviews, the shots were fired from the Texas School Book Depository building located on the northwest corner of Elm Street and North Houston Street. The following breakdown provides a verified account of the location, sequence, and key details of the event.
Key Location Details
The primary location of the shooting was along Elm Street in Dealey Plaza. The motorcade proceeded from Houston Street westward on Elm Street. The Texas School Book Depository, at 400 Elm Street, is the confirmed vantage point from which shots were fired, as established by investigations and evidence presented to official commissions.
Sequence of Shots and Events
Most witnesses reported hearing three shots fired in quick succession. The first shot missed, the second struck President Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally, and the third shot struck President Kennedy in the head, causing severe injuries. Governor Connally was seated in front of the president and recovered from his wounds. The sequence and origin of the shots have been detailed in multiple investigations, including the 1964 Warren Commission and later reviews.
| Detail | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Event | November 22, 1963 | Official records |
| Approximate Time | 12:30 p.m. Central Time | Official records |
| Location of Shooting | Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas | Official investigations |
| Vantage Point | Texas School Book Depository, 400 Elm Street | Official investigations |
| President Fatally Shot | Yes | Official investigations |
| Governor John Connally Injured | Yes | Official investigations |
Investigative Conclusions
The Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in firing the shots from the Texas School Book Depository. Subsequent investigations, including the 1979 House Select Committee on Assassinations, found that a second shooter could not be ruled out, though conclusive evidence was not established. These conclusions remain part of the historical record and are widely cited in official reports and research.
Notable Details and Context
The motorcade route was published in advance and traveled through Dealey Plaza. The sequence of shots, the physical positions of the president and governor, and the condition of the presidential limousine have been documented in photographs, testimony, and forensic analysis. The grassy knoll, located near the north end of the Plaza, was subject to speculation but was not identified as the source of gunfire by official investigations.
Common Misconceptions
Some narratives suggest multiple shooters or alternative firing locations, but these remain speculative and are not supported by the primary conclusions of official investigations. While public debate and continued research persist, the factual record places the shooting origin at the Texas School Book Depository and the fatal shots occurring in Dealey Plaza.