CONCLUSIONS

1. The shots which killed William Henry Gates III were fired from the southeast corner of the roof of the Park Plaza Hotel by the Mauser 7.65 millimeter rifle later discovered in the basement of the hotel. This conclusion is based on the following:

a) Ballistic tests indicate that bullet fragments taken from the victim's body and from the MacArthur Park band shell match the Mauser rifle to the exclusion of all other weapons.

b) Witnesses on the ground at the scene saw a figure retreat from the southeast corner of the rooftop just after the shots were fired.

2. The shots were fired by Alek Hidell. This conclusion is based on the following:

a) Alek Hidell was seen carrying a heavy gym bag that could have contained the rifle on December 1, 1999.

b) Witnesses saw a man fitting Hidell's description on the roof of the hotel just after the shots were fired.

c) The Mauser rifle was seen in Hidell's hands by Officer Jacob Powell at approximately 12:35 p.m. on the day of the assassination.

d) Fiber evidence shows a consistency between Hidell's clothing and the rifle.

e) Testimony and expert analysis indicates that Hidell had the skills necessary to perform the shots within the time frame of the assassination.

f) Hidell made previous statements, written and oral, that a "class war" was desirable in the United States and could be provoked by violence against business leaders.

3. Alek Hidell killed Officer Tom Baker in the fifth-floor stairwell of the hotel. This conclusion is based on the following:

a) Hidell was known to have been in the location attempting to flee the rooftop crime scene.

b) Fiber evidence from Hidell's clothing is consistent with fiber evidence found on the body of Officer Baker.

4. The shooting of Alek Hidell by Officer Jacob Powell was within LAPD policy and justified. This conclusion is based on the following:

a) An assassin with a rifle was known to be present in the hotel at the time of the Officer Powell's encounter with Hidell.

b) Officer Powell verbally warned Hidell.

c) Hidell attempted to fire on Officer Powell.

5. Alek Hidell acted alone in firing the shots, and was not part of any conspiracy. This conclusion is based on the following:

a) No evidence was found that anyone assisted Hidell in planning or carrying out the assassination. Hidell discovered Gates's appearance, traveled to the location, carried the rifle into the building and secured his room at the hotel without the known presence or conscious assistance of any other person.

b) No evidence was found that Hidell contacted any person directly or otherwise after discovering Gates's planned appearance on the evening of December 1, 1999. No person affiliated with the Worker's Socialist Party is implicated in the assassination in any way.

c) No evidence of financial reward or other incentive was discovered in a thorough search of Hidell's place of residence, automobile and bank records.

These conclusions are supported by eyewitness and expert witness statements, laboratory reports and other supporting material in the following chapters of the report.