</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date 4/7/68 LOYD JOWERS, owner, Jim's Grill, 418 South Main Street, advice that at approximately 3:55 p.m. on April 4, 1968, he arrived at the Grill, 3:35 p. m. on back of a white Mustang that was parked on the street directly in front of his Grill. He stated that he believed that the in front or his Grill, he stated that the street parking of an orange or orange-yellow color. He states that upon that parking of the car he went into the Grill where he saw a stranger sitting at the bar having a meal that he stated it was unusual for him to get were local people of a steady nature. Mr. JOWER's his customers stranger as follows: Race: White Sex: Height: Male Height: 160 pounds Height: Height: Height: Hair: Height: Heavy Dress: Wearing 30 Complexion: Ruddy Wearing a dark suit. He started that the man finished his meal and left the Grill, and he could not notice in which direction he walked, in but he did he could note not notice on which direction was walked, front of the Grill. Mr. JOMERS stated that this same individual returned to the Grill at about 8:00 p.M. on April 5, 1968 and ordered breakfast. Mr JOWERSON stated that in his establishment, this individual, Mr.JOWERS stated in this area was excited over the everyone else at the grill and in the area was excited over the shooting. In view of the fact that he felt the individual was acting in an orange-colored police and told them that he had the area, Mr. WOWERS called also Police and told that he was excited for the area. a suspicious nature at the Grill. He said that when the stranger 45 4/5/68 Memphis, Tennessee File # 44-1987 SAS JOHN W. BAUER at 4/4/68 STEPHEN M. DARLINGTON / JWB: jms Date dictated by This document contains neither recommendations on conclusion to the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loomed to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

Summary  
This document contains FBI investigative reports from April 1968 detailing witness accounts of events surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. The focus is on individuals present at Jim’s Grill in Memphis, Tennessee, where witnesses described cars parked nearby, interactions with law enforcement, and confusion about the timing and details of the shooting. Key elements include conflicting accounts of vehicle sightings, lack of consensus on the shooter’s identity, and noise from the grill’s machines masking the gunshot. A separate forensic laboratory report includes analysis of physical evidence recovered during an investigation, including firearms, cartridges, personal items, and latent fingerprints. The reports reflect the FBI’s efforts to gather witness statements and forensic data in the immediate aftermath of King’s assassination, though no definitive conclusions were reached due to conflicting testimonies and incomplete evidence.  

Key People  
- **Steve Cuppies**: Noted a white Mustang parked near Jowers’ Cadillac but could not confirm its presence after the shooting.  
- **James A. Walker**: Described a 1966 white Mustang with dark red/black interior and a Lincoln Continental nearby, but did not see the shooter.  
- **Billy Ray Hoard**: Reported hearing a gunshot at ~6:00 PM but could not confirm due to noise.  
- **Gene Walker**: Claimed he did not notice any stickers on the Mustang or its movement.  
- **Frank Holt**: Walked near Jim’s Grill and noted cars and people but did not see the shooting.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: A suspect with a history of employment as a "merchant marine" in Alabama, linked to the Continental Dance Studio in New Orleans (1964–1965).  
- **Bessie Ruth Brewer**: Mentioned via fingerprint evidence recovered from the scene.  

Key Locations  
- **Jim’s Grill**, Memphis, Tennessee: The location where witnesses described events surrounding the assassination.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (424 South Main Street): Reference to a specific address linked to physical evidence recovery.  
- **New Orleans**: Associated with Eric Starvo Galt’s employment history and the Continental Dance Studio.  
- **Alabama**: Mentioned in relation to Eric Starvo Galt’s past employment.  

Key Events  
- **Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.** on April 4, 1968: The central event under investigation, with witness accounts detailing the shooting at Jim’s Grill.  
- **Witness interactions with law enforcement**: Police officers instructed patrons to stay inside Jim’s Grill and write down their names and addresses after the shooting.  
- **Forensic analysis of recovered items**: Examination of firearms, cartridges, personal belongings, and latent fingerprints from multiple locations.  
- **Conflicting witness accounts**: Discrepancies in timing, vehicle descriptions, and visibility of the shooter.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation into the assassination and related criminal activities.  
- **Channel Master Corporation**: Mentioned in relation to a radio receiver found at the scene.  
- **Gillette Company**: Associated with razors and shaving products found among recovered items.  
- **Brunswick Soap Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company**: Identified as manufacturers of soap items recovered from the scene.

MLK Declassified Files

157-mo-2627_625067_26-07-part_2_of_3.pdf

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