</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 1 Date 4/7/68 WILLIAM CHARLES ANSCHUTZ, 422K South Main, Apartment 4B, Memphis, advised that he is employed by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, 1054 Firestone Avenue, Memphis. April 4, 1968. Miss JESSIE LEDREETER, a neighbor in a apartment 1B, came to this home from work about 2:30 p.m. April 4. 1968. MISS JESSLE LEDRETER, a neighborhood in Memphis. throughout to this time to watch television. They watched television. throughout at the afternoon. On two occasions during the afternoon, ANSCHRUTZ tried to get into the bathroom at the end of the hall to pour out some water to the bathroom at the ends of the time. Each time someone was in the head had to wash dishes. Each person is the bathroom, another neighbor, Charlie STEVENS of Apartment 6B, told ANSCHAUTZ that he had a new tenant who rented apartment 5B was in a new apartment. The apartment was located in the time of his attempts to get a few minutes apart. But he is indicated these attempts were only a few months apart. He does not know how long the new tenant was in the bathroom, but he seemed like a long time to the tenant was at the bathroom. But it seems like Later some ANSCHARUTZ heard a shot. He had been watching television. Some time, but the did not have any idea what time it was. He got up and up the door. Any the opened it a man came down the hall. ANSCHATZ thought the man came out of a apartment 5b, but it could not tell tell for sure. the man was running and he passed ANSCHOUTZ's door, he held his hand and arm over his face as anSCHUTEZ could not hold him hand and aim over his head. As the man passed ANSANCHUTZE, ANSCHUZTZ said, "I look at him. As he passed AnSCHUCTZ, "Yeah, it was a shot." the man answered, The man was carrying something under his arm. It appeared to be something long and was wrapped in what looked like a blanket. ANSCRUZ thought it might be a gun. 20 On 4/5/68 At Memphis, Tennessee File #ME 44-1987 SA JACK D. VAHEMWALD; SA EUGENE A. MEDORI, SA STEPHEN M. DARLINGTON, SA JEUGENE B. RAVEBATE dictated 4/6/68 <loc_835><loc_916><loc_762><loc_916>JOV-Rah, Jr. <loc_169><loc_943><loc_169><loc_943>This document was recommended nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is learned to <loc_118><loc_939>your agency, and its contents are not to be delivered outside the agency.

Summary  
On April 4, 1968, multiple witnesses reported hearing a gunshot around 6:00 PM at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Interviews with residents of the building, including Frank Millard Marley, Harold Carter, and Alfred Eaton, described conflicting accounts of the location and nature of the incident. Eaton claimed to have seen a body covered up in the area.  

Marrell McCullough, an SCLC associate, was present at the motel on April 4. He observed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. standing on the second-floor balcony, heard a gunshot, and described the wound on King’s face as large and tear-like, with blood splatter. McCullough estimated the shot originated from a building to the northwest of the motel. Reverend Ralph Abernathy, King’s chief aide, confirmed they were in their room until around 5:30 PM, after which King left for dinner. Abernathy later reached the balcony and described King lying on his back, unable to speak.  

Chauncey Eskridge, SCLC general counsel, was near the motel parking area when he heard a gunshot and saw King fall. He believed the shot came from houses overlooking Mulberry Street. Solomon Jones, King’s chauffeur, detailed his schedule, including driving King to the Lorraine Motel on April 4 and being informed by Reverend Andrew Young that King would address sanitation workers later that day instead of attending court.  

Key People  
- **Marrell McCullough**: SCL.
- **Reverend Ralph Abernathy**: King’s aide; witnessed King’s death on the balcony.  
- **Chauncey Eskridge**: SCLC general counsel; heard gunshot and saw King fall.  
- **Solomon Jones**: King’s chauffeur; provided details about his movements and King’s schedule.  

Key Locations  
- **Lorraine Motel**: 406 Mulberry Street, Memphis; where King was shot.  
- **Fire Station**: Located south of the motel, with rear entrance facing Mulberry Street.  
- **Buildings to the Northwest**: Described as possible origin points for the gunshot.  

Key Events  
- Gunshot heard around 6:00 PM at Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968.  
- McCullough described the wound on King’s face as large and tear-like.  
- Abernathy confirmed King was in their room until 5:30 PM before leaving for dinner.  
- Eskridge estimated the shot came from houses overlooking Mulberry Street.  
- Jones detailed his role as chauffeur and King’s schedule adjustments.  

Key Organizations  
- **SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference)**: Organization associated with Martin Luther King Jr. and involved in witness accounts.  

Summary of FBI Witness Statements Regarding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination (April 4, 1968):  

---

### **Key Events and Witnesses:**  
1. **Mr. Jones (Car Driver):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** Lorraine Motel, Mulberry Street, Memphis.  
   - **Account:**  
     - Dr. King was in Room 306 with staff preparing to leave for dinner.  
     - Jones heard a loud noise (initially thought to be a firecracker) and saw Dr. King fall from the balcony.  
     - He immediately called for help and assisted in covering Dr. King’s body.  

2. **Rev. Andrew Young (SCLC Executive):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** Courtyard of Lorraine Motel, near Room 306.  
   - **Account:**  
     - Observed Dr. King fall from the balcony after hearing a shot.  
     - Noted rapid blood loss and confirmed Dr. King was critically injured.  
     - Assisted in calling for an ambulance and covering Dr. King’s body.  

3. **Rev. James Lawson (Witness):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** Courtyard of Lorraine Motel.  
   - **Account:**  
     - Heard a shot, saw people gathering, and confirmed Dr. King was on the balcony.  

4. **Mrs. Shavers (Maid):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** Balcony of Lorraine Motel (cleaning Room 304–306).  
   - **Account:**  
     - Heard a loud noise (initially thought to be a shot), dropped sheets, and saw people gathering in the courtyard.  
     - Did not see Dr. King fall but observed him lying on the ground afterward.  

5. **Walter Bailey (Hotel Owner):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** Northern lower section of Lorraine Motel.  
   - **Account:**  
     - Heard a shot and saw Dr. King lying on the balcony of Room 306.  
     - Noted confusion among guests and staff but no immediate suspects.  

6. **Olivia Hayes (Maid):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** Hotel kitchen/lobby.  
   - **Account:**  
     - Heard a shot, exited the hotel, and saw people gathering in the courtyard.  
     - Did not see Dr. King fall but confirmed he was on the balcony.  

7. **Mary Ellen Norwood (Desk Clerk):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** Hotel kitchen/lobby.  
   - **Account:**  
     - Heard a shot, ran to the courtyard, and saw Dr. King lying on the balcony.  

8. **Eunice Miller (Cook):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** Inside hotel.  
   - **Account:**  
     - Did not hear or see anything but confirmed she was inside during the incident.  

9. **Mr. Guy Warren Canipe (Amusement Owner):**  
   - **Time:** ~6:00 PM.  
   - **Location:** South Main Street, near Lorraine Motel.  
   - **Account:**  
     - Heard a shot and saw a man drop a bundle on the sidewalk.  
     - Later identified the victim as Dr. King (though this was not confirmed at the time).  

---

### **Key Observations:**  
- **Time of Shooting:** All accounts point to **~6:00 PM** on April 4, 1968.  
- **Location:** The Lorraine Motel on **Mulberry Street**, Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **Witness Consensus:**  
  - A loud noise (interpreted as a gunshot) was heard.  
  - Dr. King fell from the balcony of Room 306 and was found lying on the ground.  
  - No one saw the shooter or identified the weapon.  
- **No Suspects Identified:** Witnesses reported no immediate suspects, though some noted unusual behavior (e.g., a man dropping a bundle).  

---

### **Notable Discrepancies:**  
- **Mr. Canipe’s Account:** He claimed to see a man drop a bundle on the sidewalk, which he later identified as Dr. King. However, this was not corroborated by other witnesses and may have been misinterpreted (e.g., confusion with another individual).  
- **Witness Locations:** Some accounts describe the shot coming from the west side of Mulberry Street, while others noted blocked views or lack of visibility.  

---

### **Conclusion:**  
The FBI reports collectively confirm that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968, after a gunshot wound to his neck. Witnesses described the immediate aftermath but could not identify the shooter. The lack of direct evidence and conflicting accounts (e.g., Mr. Canipe’s bundle) highlight the complexity of reconstructing the event from witness testimony. This aligns with the official narrative that James Earl Ray was the lone assassin, though conspiracy theories persist due to gaps in the evidence.

Summary: On April 4, 1966, Mr. Canipec observed a Deputy Sheriff approaching his store on Main Street with a drawn revolver. The deputy proceeded south past the store, which had not been recently cleaned. Canipec noted a bundle near his store containing what appeared to be a large box possibly housing a shotgun or rifle, covered in green cloth marked "Browning." A suitcase or briefcase was also observed beneath the cloth. Parking details indicated three spaces were filled, with a white smaller car (possibly a Valiant or Comet) parked nearby. The car left from either space two or three, but Canipec could not confirm which.  

Key People: Mr. Canipec, Deputy Sheriff  
Key Locations: Main Street, store location (east side of Main), parking spaces near fire plug and driveway  
Key Events: Observation of deputy with drawn revolver, discovery of bundle containing potential firearm, description of parked white car  
Key Organizations: None specified in the text

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_04-02-part_5_of_8.pdf

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