</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date April 8, 1968 Reverend RALPH DAVID ABERNATHY, 680 La Verne Drive, N. W ., Atlanta, Georgia, was interviewed at the Memphis Police Department at 10:55 p.m. April 4, 1968. Reverend ABERNATHY was advised of the Agent's identity and of the nature of the matter under investigation- tion. Reverend ABERNAHY, who described himself as Vice President at Large, Treasurer of the Southern Christian Leadership Conferences and Treasurer of both Southern Christian Leaderships associate and stated that he and Mr. KING always shared a room wherever they traveled together. He stated that at about 10:30 a.m ., on April 3, 1968, and he and Dr. KING registered at the Lorraine Motel, Reverend AERNABY stated that on April 4. 1968, he and dr. King did leave the hotel and spent most of the room in their room, (306, which is located on the second floor of the motel. He stated that He and Dr ., KING had been gone from their room for approximately one hour or less when they returned to the room at dinner at the home of Reverend BILLY KYLE and that at almost exactly 6 p.M. they started to leave the room. Revered ABERNATHY stopped for the door to his room. He said that the room was still inside the motel room but could hear Dr. King discussing the dinner engagement with the other associates of Reverend ABERNASTH believes were standing in the other working area and to the front of the balcony on which Dr.' KING was standing. Reverend ALBERNAHY stated he heard what sounded like a fire- cracker and then heard the screams of persons to whom Dr. KING had been talking. Reverend ABERNNATHY went then to the balcony and dis- coversing Dr. He believed the screams were to speak to him and neck. He Said he believed the KING attempted to speak in his but was unable to do. Someone to call an ambulance and Dr.' King accompanied Dr.KING in the ambulance to the hospital where Dr. KN. subsequently died. 48 On 4/4/68 at Memphis, Tennessee File # Memphis 44-1987 by SA JOE C. HESTER: bn Date dictated 4/8/68 This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is learned to your agency. It and its contents are not to distributed outside your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, while standing on its second-floor balcony facing Mulberry Street. Multiple witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot followed by King falling backward and losing consciousness. The weapon described as an M-2 carbine or similar high-powered rifle originated from the west side of Mulberry Street, likely from nearby buildings or yards. Witnesses included Reverend Ralph Abernathy, Chauncey Eskridge, Solonon Jones, Rev. Bernard Scott Lee, Rev. Andrew Young, Ceolar Shavers, and Walter Bailey. All confirmed no prior threats were reported at the hotel. The FBI and Memphis police conducted interviews in the days following the assassination, documenting witness accounts of the shooting, King’s condition, and movements around the scene. A separate FBI FD-302 form referenced a white Mustang associated with the incident, described as a late-model “Fastback” variety parked near Canipe Amusement Company on 424 S. Main Street. Witnesses noted a man carrying a package containing what appeared to be a firearm, though its exact contents and purpose remain unclear. Law enforcement officers from the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and Memphis Fire Department provided accounts of their observations, including movements around the motel, search for footprints, and absence of a fleeing suspect.  

Key People  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (assassinated)  
- Reverend Ralph Abernathy  
- Chauncey Eskridge  
- Solonon Jones  
- Rev. Bernard Scott Lee  
- Rev. Andrew Young  
- Ceolar Shavers  
- Walter Bailey  
- Lt. Eugene Ghormley (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office)  
- Patrolman Vernard Dollahite (Memphis Police Department)  
- Torrence N. Landers (Memphis Police Department)  
- Charles Elvin Stone (Memphis Fire Department)  
- Lieutenant George V. Losenneke (Memphis Fire Department)  
- William Bishop King (interviewed by FBI)  

Key Locations  
- Lorraine Motel (site of the assassination, Room 306 balcony)  
- Memphis Fire Department Engine House (where witnesses observed the event)  
- 424 S. Main Street (location of items described by Ghormley)  
- Canipe Amusement Company (site of searched items and package discovery)  
- Mulberry Street (route of fire origin, mentioned in witness accounts)  
- Fire Station 2 (Memphis Police Department, referenced in FBI FD-302)  

Key Events  
- Dr. King was shot at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968, from an unseen position on the west side of Mulberry Street.  
- Witnesses described a high-powered rifle (M-2 carbine or similar) used in the shooting.  
- A white Mustang was observed near Canipe Amusement Company on 424 S. Main Street, associated with the incident.  
- A package containing what appeared to be a firearm was found near the store’s front door after the man fled.  
- Law enforcement officers conducted searches for footprints and evidence around the motel and adjacent areas.  
- Multiple witnesses confirmed no suspect fled the scene immediately following the shooting.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Memphis Police Department  
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office  
- Memphis Fire Department

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_05-02-part_4_of_7.pdf

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