</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date April 16, 1968 CHARLES ELVIN STONE, 584 Orchard Drive, Memphis, Tennessee, WAS interviewed at the Number Two Engine House, Memphis Fire Department at the South Street. STONE advised that he is a member of the Past Three Fire Department, and has been in this employment for the past three years. He stated that he was in this Employment for the Past three years, He stated he was to the shooting of DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING. He started that at approximately 6:00 p.m. on that date, he was in the rear locker room of the Fire Department. and was looking out at the back room of his hotel room, and was talking on another individual staying. He advised that DR. KING was standing on the balcony outside of his hotel floor, and and was taking another individual below of his room, was talking to another individual location to the hotel room. He was talking of other individual location. in the court yard directly below below the hotel room of DR, KING. STONE stated that that was KING was speaking to the individual below him, a shot rang out, and DR. King fell over backwards. STONE started that he started for a few seconds, and after firehouse that he saw both the other firemen and the police firehouse and told both the firemen that the police officers stated that were stunned for a new two seconds, that the after officers that were in the firehouse at that time that the STONE KING home was shot. joking shot. At that instance, all of the police officers joking shots. At the other one came pushing the police was same thing. At this instance, at all of them, the police Officers rushed out of the firefirehouse in an attempt to cut off the area in the fire department, the fireman was immediately ten seconds later, at that instance. All of the side door of the FIRE Department, and proceed towards Mulberry Street, the street off the street that and proceed toward the fire. and proceed to the hotel where people were standing on to see what had confusing, the hotel officers were staring on the area. happened, and the only ones we saw on the street at that TIME were the police officer who were covering on the road. were the white hood. immediately after the shooting was not done on the scene at that individual wearing a white hood, STONE stated after a few minutes, he walked to the front of the fireplace, but stated that the did not observe any white Mustang on Front Street, but started that that he did 89 on 4/16/68 at at <loc_138><loc_875>Memphis, Tennessee File # <loc_606><loc_874>44-1987 SAS EDWARD M. QUINN<loc_140><loc_884><loc_362><loc_900><loc_359><loc_900>SHIELDDS W. SHITH <loc_143><loc_912>SHIELDES W. SMITH

Summary  
The documents detail witness accounts and police reports from April 4–15, 1968, regarding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Charles Elvin Stone, a firefighter, reported observing Dr. King on the motel balcony around 6:00 p.m., noting a shot rang out and King fell backward. Lieutenant Leoennke (likely Leonnake) corroborated the shooting, stating he saw King on the balcony and heard the shot from the left side of the firehouse. He noted no immediate suspects and observed a white hooded figure briefly at the scene. Patrolman Barney Wright described emergency units parked near the fire station, noting a rattling sound before the shot but no direct sighting of the shooter. William Bishop King, another firefighter, reported observing Dr. King on the balcony for several minutes before the shooting, describing the sound as a rifle shot. Patrolman William F. Gross mentioned a white Mustang possibly near the scene and observed a green cloth item at Canipe’s Amusement Center. Multiple witnesses noted no clear suspect, with conflicting accounts about the shooter’s location and appearance.  

The FBI FD-302 forms from April 1968 include witness statements and physical evidence related to the investigation. Peggy Hurley, a waitress at Jim’s Grill, reported a white Mustang parked near the grill and described a man in a dark coat. Elizabeth Copeland corroborated this account, noting a white Mustang with a man in a dark coat near the grill. David Owens mentioned a large canvas object resembling a mailbag at Canipe’s Amusement Company. George Harding stated he heard a shot but could not confirm if it was gunfire. Robert Wheeler similarly reported hearing a shot but claimed no gunfire. Frank Ray described cars parked around Jim’s Grill, including Jowers’ white Cadillac. Harold Parker noted the presence of Jowers’ Cadillac and observed no unusual activity at Jim’s Grill. Jimmie Sanders confirmed being at Jim’s Grill but did not observe anything out of the ordinary. Ralph Meredith Carpenter sold binoculars to an unknown customer on April 14, 1968, described as a white male in his early 20s–30s with specific clothing details (e.g., brown hair, dark shirt, wide tie).  

The Rebel Motel in Memphis is noted as the location where ERIC S. GALT stayed from April 3 to April 4, 1968, under the name "ERIC S. GALT." FBI agents Robert G. Jensen and Ralph J. Liewer conducted interviews with motel staff, including Anna Christine Kelly (manager), Mrs. Hagemaster (desk clerk), and Victor Dubratt (owner), regarding guest records and observations of the suspect. A Gillette razor kit purchase at Oliver Rexall Drug Store on April 4, 1968, was investigated, with Peggy Burns identifying a white male customer described as wearing a dark blue suit. The documents include administrative notes about document distribution restrictions and FBI property status.  

Key People  
- **Charles Elvin Stone**: Firefighter at Memphis Fire Department, reported observing Dr. King on the motel balcony and witnessing the shooting from the fire station.  
- **Leoennke (Leonnake)**: Memphis Fire Department lieutenant, confirmed Dr. King’s presence on the balcony and described the shot as coming from the left side of the firehouse.  
- **William Bishop King**: Firefighter at Station 2, observed Dr. King for several minutes before the shooting and noted a rifle-like sound.  
- **Barney Wright**: Memphis Police Department patrolman, reported emergency units near the fire station and described a rattling sound preceding the shot.  
- **William F. Gross**: Memphis Police Department patrolman, observed a white Mustang and a green cloth item at Canipe’s Amusement Center.  
- **Peggy Hurley**: Waitress at Jim’s Grill, reported a white Mustang parked near the grill and described a man in a dark coat.  
- **Elizabeth Copeland**: Witnessed a white Mustang with a man in a dark coat near Jim’s Grill.  
- **David Owens**: Noted a large canvas object resembling a mailbag at Canipe’s Amusement Company.  
- **George Harding**: Stated he heard a shot but could not confirm if it was gunfire.  
- **Robert Wheeler**: Reported hearing a shot but claimed no gunfire.  
- **Frank Ray**: Described cars parked around Jim’s Grill, including Jowers’ white Cadillac.  
- **Harold Parker**: Noted the presence of Jowers’ Cadillac and observed no unusual activity at Jim’s Grill.  
- **Jimmie Sanders**: Confirmed being at Jim’s Grill but did not observe anything out of the ordinary.  
- **Ralph Meredith Carpenter**: Sold binoculars to an unknown customer on April 14, 1968, described as a white male in his early 20s–30s with specific clothing details.  
- **ERIC S. GALT**: Suspect who stayed at Rebel Motel under this name from April 3 to April 4, 1968.  
- **Robert G. Jensen**: FBI Special Agent in Charge.  
- **Ralph J. Liewer**: FBI Special Agent.  
- **Anna Christine Kelly**: Rebel Motel manager.  
- **Mrs. Hagemaster**: Rebel Motel desk clerk.  
- **Victor Dubratt**: Rebel Motel owner.  
- **Peggy Burns**: Oliver Rexall Drug Store employee, identified a white male customer wearing a dark blue suit.  

Key Locations  
- **Lorraine Motel**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination on South Main Street, Memphis.  
- **Memphis Fire Station 2**: Located at Main and Butler Streets, where witnesses reported observing the motel balcony and the shooting.  
- **Canipe’s Amusement Center**: A nearby location where a green cloth item was observed after the shooting.  
- **Fire station parking lot**: Where emergency units were stationed, with conflicting accounts about the shooter’s direction of fire.  
- **Jim’s Grill (418 South Main Street)**: Central location where multiple witnesses reported activity.  
- **Canipe’s Amusement Company**: Mentioned as a site of a large canvas object resembling a mailbag.  
- **York Arms Company (162 S. Main St.)**: Site of binoculars purchase by an unknown individual on April 14, 1968.  
- **Rebel Motel, 3466 Lamar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee**: Location where ERIC S. GALT stayed from April 3 to April 4, 1968.  
- **Oliver Rexall Drug Store, Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Gillette razor kit purchase on April 4, 1968.  

Key Events  
- **Assassination of Dr. King**: Occurred around 6:00 p.m., with witnesses reporting a shot fired from near the Lorraine Motel or adjacent areas.  
- **Witness observations**: Multiple individuals described the shooter as possibly positioned north of the fire station, using a rifle, and wearing a hooded garment.  
- **Emergency response**: Police and firefighters mobilized to secure the scene, with some officers noting a white Mustang and green cloth items at Canipe’s Amusement Center.  
- **Lack of conclusive evidence**: No clear identification of the shooter, with conflicting accounts about their location, appearance, and method of escape.  
- **Witness Accounts**: Multiple individuals described cars (e.g., white Mustang, Jowers’ Cadillac) and unusual activity near Jim’s Grill.  
- **Binoculars Purchase**: An unknown customer bought Bushnell binoculars from York Arms Company on April 14, 1968. The buyer was described as a white male in his early 20s–30s with specific clothing details (e.g., brown hair, dark shirt, wide tie).  
- **FBI Investigation**: Interviews conducted with motel staff regarding guest records and observations of the suspect.  
- **Gillette Razor Kit Purchase**: Investigated at Oliver Rexall Drug Store on April 4, 1968, with Peggy Burns identifying a white male customer described as wearing a dark blue suit.  
- **Administrative Notes**: Documentation of document distribution restrictions and FBI property status.  

Key Organizations  
- **Memphis Fire Department**: Provided accounts from firefighters stationed near the scene.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Included patrolmen who reported on the shooting, emergency units, and post-shooting observations at Canipe’s Amusement Center.  
- **FBI**: Conducted interviews and documented witness statements as part of the investigation.  
- **Rebel Motel management team**: Interviewed by FBI agents regarding guest records and observations.  
- **York Arms retail establishment**: Mentioned as the location of binoculars purchase by an unknown subject.  
- **Oliver Rexall Drug Store**: Site of Gillette razor kit purchase on April 4, 1968.

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_04-02-part_3_of_4.pdf

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