</s>FD: 245 (BEV. 4:18-60) H. S. Department of Justice ENTIRE FIR REVIEWED FOR HIS.ICAL DECLASSIFICATION (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED SHANNON'T ATHOLOTHY 10024564 VOL. 2 STORICAL IDENTIFICATION DATE OF DERVICE. 09 FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DESTROY HISTORICAL VALUE HISTOCRICAL VALVE of HEREIN IS INCLUSICSIERIED HEREINS IS INCLOSSIERED INVESTIGATION Volume Number Bureau File Number 114-388/6/1 DO NOT DESTROY - SERVIVE FOR SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS Ser's. 3-16 See also Nos. DO NOT DESTROY- PENDING LITIGATION /06,115 ENTIRE FILE REVIEWEO FOR HISTORICIAL DECLASIFICATION C LARN MALLEY 18-1451 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details accounts of events surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Reverend James L. KYLES and others present at the scene described witnessing Dr. King’s shooting. KYLES noted that Dr. King was positioned on the balcony floor facing south, with a gaping wound on his right side near the cheekbone and neck area. The sound of gunfire was initially mistaken for a loud noise or firecracker but later identified as a gunshot. KYLES observed Dr. King’s eyes open and suspected he may have been alive at the time. Several individuals, including Reverend ABERNATHY and others, attempted to reach Dr. King but found him unresponsive. An ambulance transported his body to St. Joseph Hospital. Witnesses reported the shot likely originated from the west side of Mulberry Street toward the motel. The document also includes statements from Charles Ballard and James Elmore Phillips, who stayed at the Lorraine Motel during the period. Ballard claimed he was not present at the time of the shooting, while Phillips described his movements after leaving the motel around 5:45 p.m., including catching a bus to South Memphis. Both denied any knowledge of the assassination or inquiries about Dr. King’s location.  

Key People  
- Reverend James L. KYLES (witnessed the shooting and described Dr. King’s condition)  
- Reverend ABERNATHY (attempted to communicate with Dr. King)  
- CHANCEY EKRISKR (noted the direction of the shot)  
- CHARLES BALLARD (stayed at the Lorraine Motel, denied involvement)  
- JAMES ELMORE PHILLIPS (described his movements post-motel and denied knowledge of the assassination)  

Key Locations  
- Lorraine Motel (site of the shooting; Room 306 where Dr. King was staying)  
- Mulberry Street (reported direction of the shot from west to east)  
- St. Joseph Hospital (where Dr. King’s body was transported)  
- South Memphis (destination for Phillips after leaving the motel)  

Key Events  
- Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel  
- Witnesses’ accounts of the shooting and Dr. King’s condition post-injury  
- Ambulance transport of Dr. King’s body to St. Joseph Hospital  
- Statements from Ballard and Phillips regarding their presence and lack of knowledge about the assassination  
- Investigation into the direction of the shot and potential witnesses  

Key Organizations  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) (mentioned as part of Dr. King’s staff and movement)  
- Memphis Police Department (involved in responding to the scene)

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_010-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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