</s>44-388-1A (13) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents consist of multiple FBI memos dated April 6, 1968, detailing an investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., who was killed on April 4, 1968. The Bureau used a code word "Murkini" for internal communications related to the case. A suspect named Harvey Loweyer is identified as having purchased a Remington .243 caliber rifle in Birmingham, Alabama, from a sporting goods store. The FBI conducted checks on operator’s licenses, airline records, and telephone directories in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Madison, Wisconsin, to trace potential travel connections. The suspect allegedly made an airline reservation with Southern Airlines for a trip from Birmingham to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a stop in Milwaukee. No matches or cigarette evidence were found during the investigation period, suggesting the suspect may be a non-smoker. The FBI also noted the absence of state-wide vehicle registration records and highlighted challenges in verifying vehicle ownership through name-based searches.  

Key People  
- **Harvey Loweyer**: Suspect identified as having purchased a rifle in Birmingham, Alabama.  
- **Bernard Fauer**: Dispatcher with the Wisconsin State Highway Patrol, involved in license plate and phonetic system checks.  
- **Edward McDounough**: Bureau supervisor who provided details on investigative leads and travel connections.  
- **W. J. L. Lemheyer**: Name variation associated with the suspect’s potential travel itinerary.  

Key Locations  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Site of the assassination and where the suspect purchased a rifle.  
- **Milwaukee, Wisconsin**: Focus of airline and directory checks for travel connections.  
- **Madison, Wisconsin**: Mentioned in relation to hunting license records and investigative leads.  
- **Minneapolis, Minnesota**: Destination on the suspect’s alleged travel itinerary.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **April 6, 1968**: FBI memos detailing ongoing investigation into the assassination and suspect tracking.  
- **Airline Reservation Check**: Investigation into Southern Airlines reservation for travel from Birmingham to Minneapolis via Milwaukee.  
- **Operator’s License Search**: Examination of license records under names including Harvey Loweyer and W. J. L. Lemheyer.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation, used code words, and coordinated with state agencies.  
- **Wisconsin State Highway Patrol**: Assisted in phonetic system checks for license records.  
- **Conservation Department (Madison, Wisconsin)**: Provided data on hunting licenses and shooting permits.

MLK Declassified Files

44-mi-388_749561_05-03-part_7_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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