Single-bullet theory (JFK assassination)

Record	OBS-0506
Category	History/Assassinations
Status	PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED
Summary	The single-bullet theory, introduced by the Warren Commission, posits that one bullet caused all non-fatal wounds to President Kennedy and all wounds to Governor Connally. Proponents argue that this bullet, CE 399, passed through both men, while critics call it the 'magic bullet' and question its feasibility. The theory is central to the conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
Origin	Introduced by the Warren Commission in 1964 during its investigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
Claimed	A single bullet (CE 399) struck President Kennedy in the back, exited through his throat, then struck Governor Connally, causing all his wounds. The bullet traversed through two men, breaking bones and passing through multiple layers of clothing, yet remained in good condition. The timing of the wounds, as seen in the Zapruder film, supports that only one bullet could have caused both sets of wounds within the available time. The bullet was found on a gurney at Parkland Memorial Hospital, which the Warren Commission concluded was Connally's.
Evidence / consensus	The Warren Commission and later computer modeling by Failure Analysis Associates support the theory's feasibility. However, critics and some commission members expressed doubts. The House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1979 also supported the theory, but the debate persists.

> OBSERVER NOTE:
The single-bullet theory remains a cornerstone of the official narrative, yet its acceptance is not universal. The physical evidence and modern simulations lend it credibility, but the controversy endures due to the bullet's pristine condition and the complexity of the wounds.

Sources

Sources are external and provided for verification. Listing does not imply the Observer endorses their claims.