Mr. Beers. I was on Dallas News property between the parking lot probably and my photographic studio.
Mr. Griffin. When you heard that President Kennedy had been shot, what did you do?
Mr. Beers. I was in my photo lab in the process of finishing films of the arrival at Love Field, and a lab man who works with us told me that the President had been shot, and I immediately thought he was making some sort of joke and I continued to turn out my picture of his arrival at Love Field. And I told the fellow, “Well, go ahead with your joke.” And he said, “No; that is right, the President has been shot.” And he just turned around and walked out. And I still didn’t believe him. In a few minutes our intercom between the city desk came on, and I was told to report to the Texas School Book Depository Building, that they thought they had the man that shot the President in the corner there.
Mr. Griffin. Did you go to the Texas School Book Depository?
Mr. Beers. A few minutes later, I did. It sort of stunned me. I guess I didn’t quite realize. I said, “Okay,” and I kept standing there working on my prints. And just a couple or 3 minutes, our city editor came back and he said, “Get the hell out and go over to the Depository.” And I arrived at the School Book Depository about 5 minutes later.
Mr. Griffin. What time would you say it was when you got there?
Mr. Beers. I don’t know. It would be shortly after noon sometime. I have lost complete track of time for a good length of time.
Mr. Griffin. About how long would you say it was after you first heard the President had been shot?
Mr. Beers. Probably 20 minutes.
Mr. Griffin. Now, when you got there, did you go into the building?