</s>ME 44-1987 2 2 STONE also advised that he did not notice a Mustang of that type near the Firehouse at any time during that day. STONE stated that him in the locker room at the time of the shooting were Lieutenant LENOENNE and Fireman KING, both members of the Fire Department and a Negro police. officer, Officer RICHMOND, STONE stated at all of these individuals were watching the hotel room at time DR. KING was evacuated from the fire department at the time of that from the sound of the shot, he thought it came from the parking lot located north of the fire Department, but that it could have been slightly further north. STONE advised that the was unable to furnish any positive information concerning the individual who fired the shot killing DR. KING, 90 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into multiple events surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Key elements include witness accounts of a white Mustang with Arkansas license plates near the Lorraine Motel, police searches of a fenced parking lot north of a fire station, and interviews with individuals who purchased items like binoculars or stayed at hotels during the period. The FBI coordinated with local law enforcement to gather evidence, including a green cloth found near Canipe Amusement Company. While no suspect was definitively identified, multiple witnesses described a white male in a Mustang fleeing the scene. Separate records also mention a Gillette shaving kit purchased on April 3, 1968, and inquiries into an individual named Eric S. Galt who stayed at the Rebel Hotel during the same timeframe. These documents reflect fragmented witness accounts and investigative efforts but do not provide conclusive evidence or identification of the perpetrator.  

Key People:  
- **Patrolman William E. Gross**: Memphis Police Department officer who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting and described a white Mustang with Arkansas license plates.  
- **Patrolman William Du Four (phonetic)**: Emergency unit member stationed at the fire station who reported running to the Lorraine Motel after hearing about the shooting.  
- **Lieutenant Loenneke**: Memphis Police Department officer involved in coordinating responses at the firehouse.  
- **Inspector N. E. Zachary**: Homicide Squad member who searched the parking lot and collected items from the crime scene.  
- **Charles Hardy Hurley & Peggy Jane Hurley**: Witnesses who reported seeing a white Mustang with Arkansas plates near Canipe Amusement Company on April 4, 1968.  
- **Ralph Meredith Carpenter**: Salesman at Jim’s Grill who provided witness accounts of unusual activity around the time of the shooting.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Individual registered at the Rebel Hotel in Memphis from April 3 to April 4, 1968, described as driving a Mustang with Alabama license plates.  

Key Locations:  
- **Lorraine Motel**: Site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination (April 4, 1968).  
- **Fire Station at Main and E. Butler Streets**: Emergency units stationed here; officers reported running to the Lorraine Motel after the shooting.  
- **Canipe Amusement Company (424 S. Main Street)**: A nearby business where witnesses observed a white Mustang with Arkansas plates.  
- **Fenced Parking Lot**: Located north of the fire station, searched by police for suspects and evidence.  
- **Rebel Motor Hotel (3466 Lamar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee)**: Where Eric S. Galt registered on April 3, 1968.  

Key Events:  
1. **Shooting Incident**: Dr. King was shot at the Lorraine Motel around 6:00 PM on April 4, 1968. Witnesses described a white Mustang (possibly with Arkansas license plates) as the vehicle associated with the suspect.  
2. **Witness Accounts**: Multiple officers and civilians reported seeing a white male in a Mustang near the scene. Some noted the car’s license plate began with "AL" but could not confirm details.  
3. **Search of Parking Lot**: After the shooting, police searched the fenced parking lot north of the fire station. Items like a green cloth, satchel, and blanket were found and collected for investigation.  
4. **Vehicle Pursuit**: A white Mustang was reportedly seen fleeing the scene but no definitive identification of the driver or vehicle was made.  
5. **Purchase of Binoculars (April 4, 1968)**: A customer purchased a pair of Bushnell binoculars from York Arms Company in Memphis. The buyer was described as a white male aged 26–32 with average build, brown hair, and no distinguishing features.  
6. **Hotel Stay at Rebel Motor Hotel**: Eric S. Galt registered on April 3, 1968, in Room 34, departing on April 4. He was reported to be driving a Mustang with Alabama license plate 1-38993.  

Key Organizations:  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted interviews with witnesses and coordinated the investigation into the assassination.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Led the immediate response, including securing the crime scene and searching for suspects.  
- **Homicide Squad**: Involved in collecting evidence from the parking lot and interrogating witnesses.

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_123-01-part_3_of_4.pdf

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