</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 LOENNEKE and Fireman KING, both members shooting were lieutenant LOENKEKE and fireman KING. officer, Officer RICHMOND. STONE stated at all of these individuals were watching the hotel room at time of DR. KING was shot by the fire department. from the sound of the shot, he shooting. STOME stated that lot located north of the Fire Department, but from it could have been slightly further north. STONE advised that that he 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 FBI investigative records from April 1968 related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Key elements include eyewitness accounts of gunfire, descriptions of a white Mustang observed near the Canipe Amusement Center (424 South Main Street), and physical evidence such as a satchel and green cloth materials found near the scene. Police responses included searches of parking lots and questioning of witnesses like firefighters Charles Stone and William Bishop King, who reported observing Dr. King from windows at the fire station. The FBI conducted interviews with individuals including Ralph M. Carpenter (York Arms employee) regarding binocular purchases linked to James Earl Ray. Administrative notes reference document handling under Executive Order 14176 and routine checks for discrepancies in records.  

Key People:  
- **Charles Stone**: Firefighter who reported no sighting of a Mustang near the fire station.  
- **William Bishop King**: Firefighter who observed Dr. King from a window and noted gunfire came from his left.  
- **Lieutenant Loenneke**: Fire department official noting the shooting occurred around 6:00 PM.  
- **Patrolman Barney Wright**: Emergency unit responder describing fire station location and officer movements.  
- **Ralph M. Carpenter**: York Arms employee interviewed about binocular purchases linked to James Earl Ray.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect later convicted of the assassination, connected to binoculars purchased from York Arms on April 4, 1968.  

Key Locations:  
- **Lorraine Motel**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination.  
- **Fire Station at Main and Butler Streets**: Where firefighters and police observed Dr. King and responded to the shooting.  
- **Canipe Amusement Center (424 South Main Street)**: Location where a white Mustang and green cloth materials were found post-shooting.  
- **York Arms Company (Whitehaven, Tennessee)**: Store where binoculars were purchased by James Earl Ray on April 4, 1968.  

Key Events:  
- **Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.** at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968.  
- **Witness accounts**: Conflicting descriptions of gunfire direction and a white Mustang near the Canipe Amusement Center.  
- **Physical evidence collection**: Satchel and green cloth materials retrieved from the scene by authorities.  
- **FBI investigation**: Interviews with witnesses (e.g., Ralph M. Carpenter) and tracking of binocular purchases linked to James Earl Ray.  
- **Police response**: Emergency units securing the scene, searching parking lots, and questioning witnesses.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Involved in responding to the shooting, securing the scene, and collecting evidence.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, tracked binocular purchases, and compiled witness accounts as part of the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_157-04-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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