</s>FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER OM - OM-OMAHA OM-04444-00018: OM Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # 0444 310 4 300 OPEN 5/06/61165 RRP002PQA 2015 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
This document details the immediate police response to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Patrolman Willie B. Richmond reported the shooting at approximately 6:01 p.m., prompting tactical units and patrol cars to secure the area. Conflicting accounts emerged regarding officers’ movements post-shooting, with Douglas claiming Chombley and others joined him after the incident, while Chombley stated he turned at a concrete wall. Officers secured areas around the crime scene, including Mulberry Street and S. Main Street. Landers observed an elderly white male and female near a building on S. Main Street, ordered them to retreat, and found two fresh footprints in mud. These footprints were later cast but not identified by MD or FBI. Dollahite encountered patrons at Jim's Grill, secured the area, and inspected Canip's Amusement Company, noting a green bedspread covering a blue suitcase and a rifle box. Other officers patrolled intersections to secure the scene, including securing a basement alley.  

Key People  
- Patrolman Willie B. Richmond: Reported the shooting at Fire Station No. 2.  
- Patrolman Douglas: Claimed Chombley and others joined him after the shooting.  
- Patrolman Wright: Part of the tactical unit responding to the scene.  
- Dufour, Dollahite, Morris, Baker, Landers, Maley, Dum, Chombley: Officers involved in securing the crime scene.  
- Lt. Gombley: Possibly part of the tactical unit.  
- Berry: Patrolled intersections to secure the area.  
- Canip (Amusement Company): Noted suspicious items at their location.  

Key Locations  
- Fire Station No. 2 (S. Main and Butler): Surveillance post for MPD and tactical units during the shooting.  
- Lorraine Motel: Site of Dr. King’s assassination; his movements and interactions were closely monitored.  
- S. Main Street: Area where Landers observed individuals near a building.  
- Mulberry Street: Secured by officers after the shooting.  
- Jim's Grill (418 S. Main): Where Dollahite encountered patrons.  
- Canip's Amusement Company (424 S. Main): Inspected by Dollahite, noting suspicious items.  
- A one-story building backing Mulberry Street: Observed by Landers.  
- A basement alley: Secured by officers.  

Key Events  
- Patrolmen at Fire Station No. 2 received word of Dr. King’s shooting and moved toward the Lorraine Motel.  
- Conflicting accounts emerged regarding officers’ routes and actions post-shooting.  
- Landers observed individuals near a building on S. Main Street, ordered them to retreat, and discovered footprints.  
- Dollahite secured areas at Jim's Grill and Canip's Amusement Company, noting suspicious items.  
- Officers patrolled intersections and secured the crime scene, including securing a basement alley.  

Key Organizations  
- Memphis Police Department (MPD): Conducted surveillance, deployed tactical units, and reassigned firemen.  
- MD (Medical Examiner’s Office): Involved in casting footprints but did not identify them.  
- FBI: Not directly mentioned in this section but referenced in earlier summaries regarding surveillance and investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-om-310_763633_15-07-part_1_of_5.pdf

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