</s>FEDERAL OUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REPORTING OFFICE OFFICE OF ORIGIN DATE: MEMPHIS MEMPHS 4/17/68 INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD April 4-16, 1968 TITLE OF CASE REPORT MADE BY UNSUB: aka EXCITED BY BBS, Eric Stowe Galt, SA JOE C. HESTER JMS, ra) Eric Stowwer, CHARACTER OF CASE John Willard, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CHARACTE OF CASE VICTIM CIVIL RIGHTS BYNOPUSI: -P- ADMINISTRATIVE DATA: ADM INSTRATIVATE DATA: In view of the large volume of correspondence in this case, no attempt has been made to reference any particular communi- cation. Because of the urgency of this matter, leads for other offices are being set out by telephone or telephone, or teletype, and it would serve no purpose to set out leads for other offices in this report. The information included in this report has been carefully reviewed, and negative interviews have been eliminated wherever reviewed, was believed possible to do so without giving the appearance that less than a complete and thorough investigation was conducted. A copy of this report Has not been designated for APPROVED COPIES MADE: A copy Of this report is not not been designed for SPECIAL AGENCY DO NOT WRITE INSPACES BELOW IN CHARGE COPYIES MODE: 3 - 5 - 3 - Atlanta 3 - Birmingham 157-2027-2446 3 - Jackson 3 - 3 - Bingham SEARCHED, INDEXED, VOL4 3 - New Orleans SERIALIZED, FILLED 3 - Mobile APR 19 1968 3 -New Orleans - - St. Louis - Memphis (44-1987) - A- COVER PAGE PROPERTY OF FBI-This report is loaned to you by the FBI, and neither it nor its contents are to be distributed outside the agency to which leased. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents consist of multiple FBI FD-302 forms dated April 1968, detailing witness accounts related to events surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Witnesses describe hearing a gunshot around 6:00 p.m., seeing individuals fleeing or covering a body, and interactions with law enforcement. Frank Brewer, a tenant at 4223 South Main Street, reported hearing a loud noise resembling gunfire, followed by people yelling and police activity. He noted the shot appeared to originate from the northeast corner of the roominghouse. Other witnesses, including Harold Carter, Alfred Eaton, and J.L. Messer, provided similar accounts of hearing the gunshot but not seeing the shooter. Some statements mention confusion over dates (e.g., "April 4, 1966" instead of 1968) and inconsistencies in witness recollections. The Lorraine Motel is referenced as a key location where MLK was observed on the balcony prior to his assassination.  

Key People:  
- Frank Brewer (tenant at 4223 South Main Street, Memphis)  
- Howard Vance (resident of 422 South Main Street, Apartment 4)  
- J.L. Messer (resident of 4222 South Main Street, Apartment 5)  
- Frank Marley (tenant at 4222 South Main Street, Apartment 7)  
- Harold Carter (tenant at 422K South Main Street, Apartment 9)  
- Alfred Eaton (tenant at 4223 South Main Street, Apartment 10)  
- Jessie LeDettter (deaf-mute resident of 4223 South Main Street, Apartment 1-B)  

Key Locations:  
- 4223 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee (roominghouse where several witnesses resided)  
- Lorraine Motel, 406 Mulberry Street, Memphis, Tennessee (location of MLK’s assassination)  
- Northeast corner of the roominghouse at 4223 South Main Street  

Key Events:  
- Hearing of a gunshot around 6:00 p.m. on April 4, 1968, near the Lorraine Motel  
- Witnesses reporting people fleeing or covering a body across the street from the roominghouse  
- Law enforcement presence at the scene, including officers interacting with residents  
- Confusion over dates (e.g., "April 4, 1966" instead of 1968) in some statements  
- Mention of MLK being observed on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel prior to his assassination  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Local law enforcement agencies (e.g., Memphis police, sheriff’s office)

MLK Declassified Files

157-mo-2627_625067_26-02-part_1_of_4.pdf

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