THE FATHER OF THE 24-YEAR-OLD MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING SENATOR ROBERT KENNEDY, BESHARA SALAME SIRHAN, TODAY (THURSDAY) EXPRESSED SHOCK AT THE SHOOTING.

MR. SIRHAN SPOKE TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS SON, SIRHAN BESHARA SIRHAN, HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND BEFORE THE SENATOR DIED.

MR. SIRHAN WAS INFORMED BY ISRAELI POLICE THAT HIS SON HAD BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE KENNEDY SHOOTING AT 0300 LOCAL TIME. HE HAD HEARD ABOUT THE SHOOTING EARLIER WHILE LISTENING TO THE RADIO.

THE FATHER TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE REGARDED SIRHAN AS A GOOD SON WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP IN CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS, AND COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT MOTIVATED HIS SON TO HIS ALLEGED ACTION.

MR. SIRHAN EXPRESSED HIS PERSONAL SYMPATHY AND REGRET, AND SAID THAT HE INTENDED WRITING TO SENATOR KENNEDY AND THE SENATOR'S FAMILY TO EXPRESS HIS SORROW.