1968: Robert Kennedy injured in shooting

Senator Robert Kennedy has been shot and seriously wounded shortly after giving a victory speech to celebrate his win in the California Primary in a Los Angeles hotel.

Mr Kennedy has been taken to the Hospital of the Good Samaritan where he is undergoing emergency brain surgery.

The 42-year-old senator was greeting hotel workers while being escorted through the pantry of the Ambassador Hotel when a gunman, named as Palestinian immigrant Sirhan Sirhan, fired shots from a .22 calibre gun.

Pandemonium broke out

He was was reported to shout "I did it for my country" after carrying out the attack.

The 24-year-old was immediately set upon by Mr Kennedy's bodyguards and then arrested and taken away by police.

It is thought Mr Kennedy's well documented support for Israel led to the attack.

Five other people were also injured but not seriously.

Mr Kennedy was on his way to a press conference in the hotel.

A witness said "Pandemonium broke out because it was a really narrow passageway - probably only about four to five people abreast could get through. Everyone was trying to get in there. It seemed like an awful long time before the ambulances got here."

Mr Kennedy is favourite in the running to be named as the Democrat candidate in the next election.

Robert Kennedy is the younger brother of President John Kennedy who was assassinated in 1963 as he travelled in an open-top car in Dallas.

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