After Kennedy 's defeat in Oregon , the California primary was seen as crucial to both Kennedy and McCarthy . McCarthy stumped the state 's many colleges and universities , where he was treated as a hero for being the first presidential candidate to oppose the war . Kennedy campaigned in the ghettos and barrios of the state 's larger cities , where he was mobbed by enthusiastic supporters . Kennedy and McCarthy engaged in a television debate a few days before the primary ; it was generally considered a draw . On June 4 , Kennedy narrowly defeated McCarthy in California , 46 % – 42 % . However , McCarthy refused to withdraw from the race and made it clear that he would contest Kennedy in the upcoming New York primary , where McCarthy had much support from anti-war activists in New York City . The New York primary quickly became a moot point , however , for Kennedy was shot shortly after midnight on June 5 ; he died twenty-six hours later . Kennedy had just given his victory speech in a crowded ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles ; he and his aides then entered a narrow kitchen pantry on their way to a banquet room to meet with reporters . In the pantry Kennedy and five others were shot by Sirhan Sirhan , a 24-year-old Rosicrucian Palestinian of Christian background and Jordanian citizenship , who hated Kennedy because of his support for Israel . Sirhan admitted his guilt , was convicted of murder , and is still in prison . In recent years some have cast doubt on Sirhan 's guilt , including Sirhan himself , who said he was " brainwashed " into killing Kennedy and was a patsy
Kennedy was shot
Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
1968 United States presidential election