</s>ME 44-1987 2 names of individuals who might possibly have been observing the motel at the time DR. KING was shot. KING advised that he thought a shot came from his left, and that advised that the time he heard that shot, a shot that could not tell him accordingly the same at the same time he held the shot, KING fell approximately buildings instant; however, KING stated that he could not see any the open lot to the left of the firehouse. KING advised that we did not see anyone outside the building, other than those persons in the KING group, prior to the shot. The firehouse, KING advised there he in the King group, the shot was not advised that there individual in the street before the shot .. I moved away from any window. KING advised had that he couldn't identify any other persons whom he had seen on the balcony either prior to or following the shooting of DR. King as he was not familiar with the doorway of the motel room, two small seeing a Negro woman in the doorway of the hotel room. The room was also recalled of DR.KING immediately after the shooting. that the individual standing by DR. KING at the TIME of the DR. KING. He advised that his view was restricted to either side, and that because the manner in which the holes were placed in the newspaper, he could only see straight ahead to the motel. KING could furnish no further information concerning individuals who might have been in or around the motel at. the time of the night they have been on the fire station at. concerning any automobiles outside the firestation as he had not gone out of the station immediately following the shooting .. 98 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail witness accounts, physical evidence, and investigative efforts surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Key elements include observations from Patrolman William E. Gross regarding a satchel and rifle recovered near Canipie's Amusement Company, witness reports of a white Mustang with Arkansas plates parked near the scene, and confusion at Jim’s Grill about police presence and gunfire. FBI records from April 1968 reference interviews with Rebel Motor Hotel staff and guests, noting a white Mustang with Alabama license plates outside Room 34 on the night of the assassination. Physical evidence such as firearms, ammunition, and personal items were recovered near the crime scene. While some individuals like Eric S. GALT were linked to the hotel but not directly tied to the murder, others like James Earl Ray (Jowers) were mentioned in connection to a Cadillac observed at Jim’s Grill. The FBI’s investigation focused on gathering witness statements and physical evidence without establishing conclusive links to the assassination in these records.  

Key People:  
- **Patrolman William E. Gross**: Reported being at the Lorraine Motel area and observed recovery efforts.  
- **Charles Hardy Hurley, Peggy Jane Hurley, Harold Parker**: Witnesses who mentioned a white Mustang with Arkansas plates near the scene.  
- **George Harding**: Patron at Jim’s Grill present during the incident.  
- **Jimmie Richard Sanders**: Witness at Jim’s Grill on April 4, 1968, unable to recall specific details.  
- **Ralph Meredith Carpenter**: Salesperson at York Arms Company who sold binoculars to a customer later identified as *Eric S. GALT*.  
- **Eric S. GALT**: Name used for a motel guest at Rebel Motel; no direct link to the assassination is established.  
- **Sara Lovings, Sadie Moore, Ivan Webb, Victor Dupraatt, Sara McKay, Sam Hudson, Becky Andkers, Andy Gastriaza**: Hotel staff and guests interviewed by FBI regarding Room 34.  
- **Inspector N. E. Zachary, Robert G. Jensen, Robert Fitzpatrick**: Memphis Police Department and FBI agents involved in the investigation.  

Key Locations:  
- **Lorraine Motel (418 South Main Street)**: Site of MLK’s assassination.  
- **Canipie's Amusement Company**: Where a satchel containing a rifle was recovered.  
- **Jim’s Grill (418 South Main Street)**: Establishment where witnesses reported police activity and confusion about the shooting.  
- **Rebel Motor Hotel (3466 Lamar Avenue, Memphis)**: Hotel linked to Eric S. GALT and Room 34 observations.  
- **Sidewalk in front of 424 South Main Street**: Mentioned in witness accounts near the Lorraine Motel.  
- **Rebel Restaurant (3464 Lamar Avenue, Memphis)**: Associated with hotel staff interviews.  

Key Events:  
- **Assassination of MLK**: Occurred on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel.  
- **Recovery of Evidence**: A satchel containing a rifle and other items was found near Canipie's Amusement Company.  
- **Witness Confusion**: Multiple accounts described police presence, gunfire, and uncertainty about the exact sequence of events.  
- **Observation of White Mustang**: Witnesses noted a white Mustang with Arkansas plates near the Lorraine Motel area and another with Alabama license plates outside Rebel Motor Hotel Room 34 on April 4, 1968.  
- **Trash Collection from Room 34**: Sanitation department collected trash from Room 34 at Rebel Motor Hotel on April 7, 1968.  
- **FBI Interviews**: Conducted with hotel staff and guests to gather information about Room 34 and potential suspects.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Led the investigation, including FD-302 interviews and evidence collection.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Involved in witness accounts and police presence at Jim’s Grill.  
- **Rebel Motor Hotel (and associated restaurant)**: Center of hotel staff and guest interviews.  
- **FBI Laboratory (Washington, D.C.)**: Mentioned in context of physical evidence analysis.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_05-02-part_5_of_7.pdf

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