Richard Paul Pavlick nearly attempted to assassinate then President-elect John F. Kennedy while the family vacationed in Palm Beach in December 1960 . On December 11 , Pavlick forwent his attempt because Kennedy was with his wife , Jacqueline , and their two children . Four days later , Pavlick 's car , which had sticks of dynamite inside , was surrounded by police and he was arrested . Charges against Pavolick were dropped on December 2 , 1963 , 10 days after Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas , Texas . Additionally , a secret blast shelter was built on Peanut Island during his presidency because escalating Cold War tensions
Kennedy was assassinated
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Palm Beach County, Florida