In 1968 Kennedy became a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency by appealing to poor , African American , Hispanic , Catholic , and young voters . His main challenger in the race was Senator Eugene McCarthy . Shortly after winning the California primary around midnight on June 5 , 1968 , Kennedy was mortally wounded when shot with a pistol by Sirhan Sirhan , a 24-year-old Palestinian , allegedly in retaliation for his support of Israel following the 1967 Six-Day War . Kennedy died the following day . Sirhan was arrested , tried , and convicted , though Kennedy 's assassination , like his brother 's , continues to be the subject of widespread analysis and numerous conspiracy theories
mortally wounded
Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy