What If Grassy Knoll Sounds And Smoke Were "Only" A Diversion?--A Fun Update!

[Jake Maxwell]

Perhaps much of the display and actions on the grassy knoll was staged... who knows...

[Benjamin Cole]

Yes, I divined as much.

What I am suggesting is that since gunsmoke was present in Dealey Plaza in the wake of the motorcade, and gunshots were heard, but no rifle ever seen, by deduction I think a handgun might have been used.

Also, secreting a handgun to alongside the presidential parade route is a lot better idea than a long rifle.

Given the copious amounts of gunsmoke---Dealey Plaza "reeked" by one account---a snub-nose .38 makes sense, as they release the most smoke, muzzle flash and make the biggest bang. The revolver was very common at the time, with shoulder harnesses etc available. Hand-loading bullets is a popular past-time for .38s. 

But hey, maybe the diversion was a gunpowder-loaded homemade firecracker. Firecrackers were first made with gunpowder.

My main point is that what happened on the Grassy Knoll was a diversion, intended to help assassins, 80 yards behind the president, to escape. It worked to a large degree. Maybe totally for all we know.

Given witness reaction, I think something happened, but there evidently was no shot at the president.

That leaves an intentional diversion.

[John Iacoletti]

Yep, the only unaccounted person seen with a rifle in Dealey Plaza was a slender white male seen on the 6th floor of the Texas School Book Depository.

Ed Hoffman saw two men behind the fence break down a rifle.

[Benjamin Cole]

John-

Yes, Ed Hoffman. I cast no aspersions, but....

I just find him a dubious witness. Too late. Seems to seek attention.

[John Iacoletti]

John-

Yes, Ed Hoffman. I cast no aspersions, but....

I just find him a dubious witness. Too late. Seems to seek attention.

He told his wife and another friend about it the same day.

There's also Gordon Arnold, who said he saw a "policeman" with a shotgun.

[Bill Brown]

Ed Hoffman saw two men behind the fence break down a rifle.

Wow.  You really believe that huh. 

[Benjamin Cole]

John-

At this late date, it seems impossible to credit or discredit Ed Hoffman. I prefer witnesses interviewed early after Nov. 22, before "sides were chosen."

I think the Grassy Knoll smoke-and-shot show was a diversion. The medical evidence appears to be JFK was struck from behind. So even if Hoffman's recollections are correct, the Grassy Knoll gunman either missed (from very short range), never got into position to get off a good shot, or just fired intentionally smoky shots, possibly from a handgun.

Interestingly, Jack Ruby carried a snub-nose, the type of weapon best for making a lot of noise and releasing a lot of smoke.