Mr. Liebeler. What makes you so certain of that, Mr. Altgens?
Mr. Altgens. Because, having heard these shots and then having seen the damage that was done on this shot to the President's head, I was aware at that time that shooting was taking place and there was not a shot—I looked—I looked because I knew the shot had to come from either over here, if it were close range, or had to come from a high-powered rifle.
Mr. Liebeler. When you say "over here," you indicate what?
Mr. Altgens. The left side of the car.
Mr. Liebeler. That would be approximately the intersection of Elm Street and the little street that runs down in front of the Texas School Book Depository Building; isn't that right?
Mr. Altgens. Somewhere in that direction, yes, sir. But if it were a pistol it would have to be fired at close range for any degree of accuracy and there was no one in that area that I could see with any firearms, so I looked back up in this area.
Mr. Liebeler. Indicating the buildings surrounding the intersection of Houston Street and Elm Street; is that correct?
Mr. Altgens. Yes. What made me almost certain that the shot came from behind was because at the time I was looking at the President, just as he was struck, it caused him to move a bit forward. He seemed as if at the time—well, he was in a position—sort of immobile. He wasn't upright. He was at an angle but when it hit him, it seemed to have just lodged—it seemed as if he were hung up on a seat button or something like that. It knocked him just enough forward that he came right on down. There was flesh particles that flew out of the side of his head in my direction from where I was standing, so much so that it indicated to me that the shot came out of the left side of his head. Also, the fact that his head was covered with blood, the hairline included, on the left side—all the way down, with no blood on his forehead or face—suggested to me, too, that the shot came from the opposite side, meaning in the direction of this Depository Building, but at no time did I know for certain where the shot came from.
Mr. Liebeler. Because you didn't see who fired it?
Mr. Altgens. Because I didn't see who fired it. After the Presidential car moved a little past me, I took another picture—now, just let me back up here—I was prepared to make a picture at the very instant the President was shot. I had refocused to 15 feet because I wanted a good closeup of the President and Mrs. Kennedy, and that's why I know that it would be right at 15 feet, because I had prefocused in that area, and I had my camera almost to my eye when it happened and that's as far as I got with my camera.