Why did Governor John Connally believe he was struck by a separate bullet?

Governor Connally recalled hearing a shot before feeling the impact of a bullet striking his back, leading him to believe he was hit by a second projectile. However, extreme trauma, sensory overload, and the neurological shock of high-velocity gunshot wounds frequently impair immediate perception and sequential memory during traumatic events.

How does Ronald Reagan's 1981 shooting illustrate sensory confusion during an attack?

During the 1981 assassination attempt, President Ronald Reagan did not realize he had been struck by a bullet, assuming his broken rib and pain were caused by Secret Service Agent Jerry Parr shoving him into the limousine. This demonstrates that even victims of shootings often misinterpret physical trauma in real time.

How do conspiracy theorists misuse Governor Connally's statements?

Conspiracy theorists practice reverse investigation by starting with the conclusion of a multi-shooter plot and cherry-picking Connally's personal recollection while disregarding the extensive forensic, ballistic, trajectory, and photographic evidence supporting the single-bullet trajectory.

Chaos and Conspiracy – HISTORY THINK

Connally’s Mistaken Beliefs about the Kennedy Assassination

Conspiracy theorists often cite Governor Connally’s belief that he was struck by a separate bullet from President Kennedy as proof of a larger plot. While Connally’s experience as a hunter lends him familiarity with firearms, it doesn’t make him an expert on gunshot wounds, nor does it guarantee infallible memory in a highly traumatic situation.

History illustrates this point. President Reagan himself didn’t realize he’d been hit until Secret Service Agent Jerry Parr swiftly intervened, likely saving his life. Connally’s honest misperception likely stems from similar shock and confusion. Just as the Parkland doctors initially focused on the visible throat wound in their desperate attempts to save President Kennedy, the sheer stress of the assassination can understandably distort recollections.

Unfortunately, conspiracy theorists exploit these understandable discrepancies to undermine legitimate evidence. They prioritize isolated statements like Connally’s, dismissing the wealth of physical evidence and the overwhelming probability of a single bullet’s trajectory. In essence, they reverse the process of investigation, starting with a desired conclusion and cherry-picking details to support it, rather than objectively weighing all available information.