The JFK Assassination: Accidental Firing by Secret Service Agent—a Speculation Debunked?

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK) continues to captivate historians, conspiracy theorists, and the public. Much speculation has revolved around alternative theories, one of which posits that it was an accidental shooting by a Secret Service agent. However, robust evidence suggests that such a scenario is highly improbable, if not outright untenable.

Origins of the Accidental Firing Theory

The belief that one of the Secret Service agents inadvertently fired the fatal shot has roots in the 1970s. Howard Donahue first proposed this theory, which was later championed by Bonar Menninger in the 1990s and Colin McLaren in the 2010s. Despite its repeated promotion, the theory lacks substantial evidence to substantiate its claims.

Key Elements of the Theory

The central claim of the accidental firing theory centers on Secret Service agent George Hickey. It suggests that Hickey heard the first two shots, stood up to search for the shooter, and tragically aimed his AR-15 rifle in JFK's direction, causing the fatal headshot.

Key Problems with the Theory

Several issues in the theory cast doubt on its validity:

Lack of Acceleration Consistency

Multiple film recordings show that both the presidential limousine and the follow-up car did not accelerate until after the fatal headshot. This timing contradicts the scenario where Hickey could have fired the rifle before the fatal shot was fired.

Inconsistent Positioning of Hickey

No photographic evidence shows Hickey facing forward or pointing his rifle in JFK's direction when he was observing the event. The Altgens6 photograph taken shortly before the fatal shot shows Hickey raised in his seat but facing backward, not forward.

Witness Testimonies

Several eyewitnesses reported seeing Hickey standing or holding the rifle, but none described him as looking forward or pointing the rifle at JFK. Additionally, Dave Powers, another Secret Service agent in the same vehicle, corroborated that such an accidental discharge was highly improbable. Powers stated, “Someone a foot away from me or two feet away from me couldn’t fire the gun without me hearing it.”

Conclusion

The theory of an accidental fatal shot by Secret Service agent George Hickey remains an intriguing but ultimately unsupported hypothesis. The evidence strongly points towards a single shooter as the sole responsible party. The presence of multiple witnesses and the timing of the events underscore the improbability of the accidental firing scenario.

Historians and researchers will continue to investigate and analyze the evidence, but the preponderance of evidence supports a lone gunman scenario rather than a tragic accidental discharge.