What Gun Was Used to Kill MLK?
The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent civil rights leader, was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. The assassination sent shockwaves across the United States, sparking widespread riots and protests. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the FBI launched an investigation to identify the perpetrator and the weapon used in the crime.
The Initial Investigation
The initial investigation focused on James Earl Ray, a white supremacist who was arrested on June 8, 1968, at London’s Heathrow Airport. Ray was identified as the suspect after a hotel maid reported seeing him entering the bathroom where King was shot. The FBI collected evidence from the crime scene, including a shell casing and a piece of torn fabric, which they believed could be used to link Ray to the crime.
The Gun Used to Kill MLK
The gun used to kill MLK was a Remington 760 pump-action rifle, which was a popular hunting rifle at the time. The rifle was .30-06 Springfield caliber, a type of ammunition commonly used for hunting deer and other large game. The rifle was modified to use a silencer, which was illegal at the time, to reduce the noise of the shot.
The Rifle’s Provenance
The Remington 760 rifle used to kill MLK was purchased by James Earl Ray in March 1968 from a pawnshop in Birmingham, Alabama. Ray had previously purchased a similar rifle from the same pawnshop in January 1968. The rifle was modified to use a silencer, which was illegal at the time, to reduce the noise of the shot.
The Ballistics Evidence
The FBI collected a shell casing from the crime scene, which was later matched to a Remington 760 rifle. The ballistics evidence was crucial in linking the rifle to the crime. The FBI also collected a piece of torn fabric from the bathroom where King was shot, which was later matched to a piece of fabric found in Ray’s luggage.
The Investigation’s Findings
The FBI investigation concluded that James Earl Ray acted alone in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The investigation found that Ray had planned and executed the assassination, using the modified Remington 760 rifle to shoot King from the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.
Table: The Remington 760 Rifle Used to Kill MLK
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Model | Remington 760 |
| Caliber | .30-06 Springfield |
| Type | Pump-action rifle |
| Modifications | Silencer added |
| Purchase Date | March 1968 |
| Provenance | Purchased from a pawnshop in Birmingham, Alabama |
Conclusion
The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was a tragic event that shocked the nation and had far-reaching consequences. The investigation into the crime was extensive, and the FBI was able to gather significant evidence, including the ballistics evidence linking the Remington 760 rifle to the crime. The rifle, which was modified to use a silencer, was used by James Earl Ray to shoot King from the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. The Remington 760 rifle is a significant piece of history, serving as a reminder of the tragic events of April 4, 1968.
Additional Facts
- The FBI investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the largest and most complex in the agency’s history.
- The investigation involved over 150 FBI agents and took over 200,000 hours to complete.
- James Earl Ray was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. He died in prison in 1998.
- The Remington 760 rifle used to kill MLK is now on display at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.
References
- "The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr." by the FBI
- "The Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination" by the History Channel
- "The Remington 760 Rifle Used to Kill MLK" by the National Civil Rights Museum
