Jack Ruby (born Jacob Leon Rubenstein; March 25, 1911 – January 3, 1967) was an American nightclub owner who gained national attention for fatally shooting Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy, on November 24, 1963.
Early Life and Career
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ruby moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1947, where he operated several nightclubs and bars. Known for his volatile temperament and connections to the local underworld, Ruby was a familiar figure in Dallas’s nightlife scene.
Assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald
Two days after President Kennedy’s assassination, as Oswald was being transferred from the city jail to the county jail, Ruby stepped forward and shot Oswald at point-blank range. The event was broadcast live on television, shocking the nation.
Legal Proceedings and Death
Ruby was arrested immediately and later convicted of murder, receiving a death sentence. However, his conviction was overturned on appeal, and a new trial was scheduled. Before the retrial could take place, Ruby died in 1967 from natural causes, including a pulmonary embolism related to lung cancer.
Recent Developments
The release of previously classified files related to the JFK assassination has shed new light on Ruby’s background, revealing deeper connections to organized crime than previously understood.