</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date 4/11/68 1 Mrs. JESSIE LEO LEDETTER, 422) South Main Street, Apartment 1-B, Memphis, Tennessee, was interviewed with the following results: Mrs. LEDETHER is a deaf mute and an attempt was made by Agents to communicate with her by writing questions on paper and using various hand and head motions. Mrs. LEDETTER was unable to furnish any information of value in this matter. 40 On 4/5/68 at Memphis, Tennessese File # Memphis 44-1987 SA JACK D, VAHRENWALD and SA EUGENE A. MEDORI, JR. EAM/mr 4/10/68 by Date dictated This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency, and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document compiles witness accounts and law enforcement reports detailing events surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Key observations include a white man dropping a package containing a rifle with a scope, a suitcase, and folded cloth near Canipe Amusement Company (424 South Main Street) shortly after the shooting. Witnesses described the suspect as a white male, approximately 5'6" to 5'8" tall, weighing around 160 pounds, wearing a dark suit or dress, and running south on Main Street. A white Mustang was noted as potentially involved, though its connection to the suspect remains unclear. Law enforcement officers, including Deputy Sheriff Eugene Gormley and Patrolman Vernard Dollarite, reported arriving at the scene after the shooting, securing evidence, and observing suspicious activity. The timeline from the shooting to the discovery of items spanned 2-3 minutes.  

Key People:  
- **Marrion C. Jones** (Chauffeur): Described MLK’s movements and a man in light clothing fleeing westward.  
- **Reverend Ralph Abernathy**: Stated MLK was with him most of the day at the motel; no suspects identified.  
- **Chauncey Eskridge** (SCLC Counsel): Reported being near MLK when the shooting occurred, noting the shot originated from areas overlooking Mulberry Street.  
- **Rev. Bernard F. Smith**: Witnessed MLK on the balcony after the shooting and described chaos at the motel.  
- **Mary Ellen Norwood** (Desk Clerk): Heard a gunshot and saw MLK on the balcony of Room 306.  
- **Eunis E. Miller** (Cook): Confirmed MLK was on the balcony post-shooting.  
- **Olivia Hayes** (Maid): Noted MLK’s presence on the balcony after the shot.  
- **Mr. Guy Warren Canipe** (Amusement Company Owner): Reported a "thud" near his store and saw a bundle dropped, possibly containing a gun.  
- **Finley and Julius Graham** (Employees at Canipe Amusement Company): Observed a man dropping a package.  
- **Officer Eugene Gormley** (Deputy Sheriff): Participated in securing evidence and observed suspicious activity.  
- **Patrolman Vernard Dollarite** (Shelby County Sheriff's Office): Arrived at the scene with a drawn revolver.  
- **Torrence N. Landers** (Memphis Police Department officer): Described arriving after hearing a fire alarm-like noise, witnessing a crowd on Mulberry Street, and participating in a search for footprints.  
- **Charles Elvin Stone** (Firefighter): Recounted seeing MLK on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel and noted confusion among officers.  

Key Locations:  
- **Lorraine Motel** (406 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN): Site of MLK’s assassination in Room 306.  
- **Canipe Amusement Company** (424 South Main Street, Memphis, TN): Location where a bundle was dropped near the shooting scene.  
- **Memphis Fire Department Engine House**: Reference to Tactical Unit 10 and activity near the Lorraine Motel.  
- **Jim’s Grill** (near the scene): Mentioned as a location where Patrolman Dollarite stopped.  
- **Mulberry Street**: Site of crowd gathering and search for footprints.  

Key Events:  
- **Discovery of items**: A rifle, suitcase, and folded cloth were found near Canipe Amusement Company shortly after the shooting.  
- **Suspect description**: A white male, 5'6"–5'8", 160 pounds, wearing a dark suit or dress, running south on Main Street.  
- **Law enforcement response**: Deputy Sheriff Gormley and Patrolman Dollarite arrived at the scene, securing evidence and observing suspicious activity.  
- **White Mustang sighting**: A white car (possibly a 1964 Chevrolet) was noted pulling away from the curb near Canipe’s store.  
- **Timeline**: The shooting occurred around 6:00 PM, with officers arriving within 2–3 minutes after the incident.  
- **Confusion and chaos**: Witnesses reported disarray at the motel, with some mistaking accounts as jokes or misunderstandings.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and investigations into the assassination.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Involved in securing evidence and responding to the scene.  
- **Memphis Fire Department**: Participated in search efforts for footprints and other clues.  
- **Shelby County Sheriff's Office**: Deployed officers, including Patrolman Dollarite, to the scene.

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_123-01-part_2_of_4.pdf

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