</s>F.O. 245 (REV. 413-60) H. S. 2: partiement of Jusirir (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) F. O.I.P.A. (MATEURAL MUST NOT be REMOVEO FROM OR ADDEO TO THIS FILED) F.0.1. P. A. PROUEST DO NOT DESTROY UNTIL L-27-83 87.95 86 FEDERAL BUREAU INVESTIGATION DO NOT ESTROY HISTORICAL VALUE HATIONAL ARCHIVES Bureau File Number 44-38861 NATIONALARCHIVES Volume Number Scribe 2494 F.o.I·P.P·A. REQUEST Seu 190 JN-20834 DO NOT DESTROY UNITL2L2A066. See also Nos. /57-9856-57/Newspapers 157-9858-672 D/I/G/D3's Separate 1/A Vol. Bondtotn 1/4 Vol. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O ., 14176

Summary:  
The document contains witness accounts and investigative notes related to events surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Frank Brewer, a tenant at 422 South Main Street, reported hearing a loud noise around 6:00 p.m., initially believing it to be a firecracker. He described an officer (possibly from the sheriff’s office) pointing toward the northeast corner of the building. Mr. Reeves provided a description of a man seen near the landlady’s door, noting his age (25–30), height (5'11"–6'1"), build, and clothing (dark suit, bare-headed). Other tenants, including VANCE and MESSEER, stated they were unaware of any unusual activity. Efforts to interview HARLEY, an alcoholic tenant, yielded conflicting accounts, with some suggesting he may have been involved in the events. The document includes multiple FBI/FBI reports from April 4–11, 1968, detailing witness statements and investigative follow-ups.  

Key People:  
- Frank Brewer (tenant, landlady’s husband)  
- Mr. Reeves (tenant who described a man)  
- VANCE (intoxicated tenant)  
- MESSEER (hard of hearing tenant)  
- HARLEY (alcoholic tenant with conflicting accounts)  
- Lt. J.D. Hamby, SA Frank L. Johnson (investigators)  

Key Locations:  
- 422 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee (rooming house)  
- Northeast corner of the building  
- Back porch and surrounding areas  
- Lorraine Hotel (mentioned as a location for fleeing individuals)  

Key Events:  
- Hearing of a loud noise (interpreted as gunfire or firecracker) around 6:00 p.m., April 4, 1968  
- Witness accounts of a man seen near the landlady’s door and in the building area  
- Police response to the scene, including officers on the roof of the rooming house  
- Interviews with tenants and efforts to identify individuals involved  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Memphis Police Department (implied through references to sheriff’s office officers)  
- Public Safety Bureau (PBI, referenced in document transfers)

MLK Declassified Files

157-jn-9586_624938_427b-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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