- 7/15/2025
This is a recording of the Memphis Police Department police radio dispatch activity the evening of April 4, 1968. The early portion of the recording captures the moment police learn that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot, the description of the shooter and his getaway car (a White Mustang), and the discovery of the murder weapon. The latter portion of the recording captures the false report of a chase of the shooter's White Mustang.
Category
📚
LearningTranscript
00:01I'm saying 601.
00:04They're all safe.
00:06They're on the same 602.
00:09This guy's gone.
00:12I can't.
00:1416 service.
00:1616 service.
00:18We're going to do a follow-up there.
00:20They're all there.
00:2216.
00:24Preported that a shooting is occurred at that place.
00:2731.
00:28Ok, let's go.
00:28Ok, let's go.
00:29416.
00:31Sail.
00:32Sail.
00:33I'll warn you to remain in the car until it is verified that the Reverend King has been shot.
00:41Ok, what?
00:42Ok, what?
00:43416.
00:44416.
00:45416.
00:46416.
00:471, 5, 8.
00:49Put up on this.
00:50It is then confirmed that the Reverend King has been shot.
00:531.
00:54416.
00:55416.
00:56416.
00:57580.
00:58604, 1見て.
01:00580.
01:01641.
01:025えて.
01:03652.
01:04604.
01:05159.
01:06858.
01:0767mm.
01:08I'm moving down on the car.
01:09640.
01:10159.
01:11659.
01:12100.
01:13156.
01:14Lesson 0.
01:15Southeast 550.
01:161819.
01:17155.
01:1846 expansive.
01:19455.
01:20605.
01:21656.
01:22576.
01:23solving.
01:24685.
01:25505.
01:26605.
01:27This shot came from a brick building, it's a brick building directly from the Lorraine Hotel.
01:34This shot came from a brick building directly from the Lorraine Hotel, 606.
01:4021, I'll move in on that.
01:43Okay.
01:44150.
01:45150.
01:46Be sure that the TAC units seal that location off.
01:51Okay, 150.
01:53All units.
01:54That's all units.
01:55150.
01:56We're advising all TAC units to seal this area off completely.
02:00All TAC units to seal this area off completely, 606.
02:04They're in service.
02:06They're in service, 606.
02:08The 24 has the weapon that's for the 24 South Main.
02:13The point of the car is there.
02:14The weapon is for 24 South Main.
02:16The service is responsible.
02:18We're in South on Main.
02:20Traffic response.
02:21We're in South on Main from 4, 6 Main.
02:2424 for us.
02:2624.
02:27On 5-0, you got a description?
02:30Okay, number.
02:31This will be a young white male well dressed.
02:34A young white male well dressed.
02:36We're in South on 4-24 at Mount Main, 608.
02:40Staying on that.
02:42P-16.
02:435-5-5-1-3.
02:455-5-1-2-3.
02:476-0.
02:486-8 in service.
02:506-8 in service.
02:516-0.
02:526-0.
02:536-0.
02:546-0.
02:55Okay, 4-16.
02:566-0.
02:571 of 4 in there.
02:58Okay, 24.
02:596-0.
03:004 in service.
03:014 in service.
03:024 in service.
03:035-0.
03:046-0.
03:056-0.
03:07That information the subject may be in a late model white Mustang.
03:10A late model white Mustang north on Main Street.
03:13a white Mustang. Information we have on the
03:15young, white male, well-dressed, possibly in a late model
03:20white Mustang, went north on Lane Street 610.
03:24Accept repeat.
03:27Okay, Tac-6, any other car still leading in line?
03:30Okay, Tac-17, 610.
03:33Okay, 370, you are advised to seal the area off completely.
03:38Cover to the right.
03:40Expect 9, 610.
03:41610, 610.
03:444, patient number only.
03:46To the right.
03:50Okay, couple of the Tac units to remain cruising.
03:54611, spot with the number.
03:57Okay, Tac-6, we'll be cruising, 611.
03:59Tac-15, location.
04:02Okay, Tac-15,
04:046, St. Joe, guard subject, 611.
04:08St. Joe, hospital check.
04:11What?
04:28107.
04:28107.
04:281-5-7-7-6-13, 1-5-7, have a signal, you're in effect, 69, attack 14, cruising 614, travel cruising, okay, attack 12, 614, 69, interview, 614, follow, on the same, 614,
04:54okay, 20 in, okay, 20 in service, 615, the motors and radar units to move into the road, 615, 155, 267 in service and pull into the loop for traffic, 615, 3155, 155, we need somebody at Mulberry in seconds to cut that traffic,
05:17the first motors to arrive in the loop to cut the traffic at Mulberry in seconds, 45 in service, 25 in service, 615, 156, 155,
05:3120 in 156, we have to assume that it's shooting in St. Martin, it's just no more than that,
05:38on the mountain until further notice, okay, 156, 616, all this may ought to be withheld from the area,
05:4516, we're going to cut off the southbound traffic at main advance,
06:1116, okay, 416, 617, okay, attack 7, 617, P178, 617, 159, if you got any type of calling description from the scene,
06:257159, attack 10, taking on the scene, advising, clothing description, can you drive, I have clothing description on the subject,
06:34404, 404, the lights are still being held, 618, okay, 404, the lights are still being held, 618, okay,
06:4341 on the scene, 619, go ahead,
06:47cut off some of the radios at the Lorraine, we're getting too much feedback, cut off some of the radios,
06:52810, cut some of the radios off, we're getting the feedback, try it again,
06:55a young white male has dark hair, possibly black, a dark colored suit, also possibly black, medium, heavy build,
07:03a young white male with dark hair, possibly black, a dark suit, possibly black, medium, heavy build, 620,
07:125-0, 5-0, 5-0, the hospital advises, critical condition, 620,
07:228-0, available to meet a man, it's St. Joe, 4-14, transporting, 4-14, transporting, 620,
07:335-5, it's St. Joe, meet the officer, 621,
07:36621,
07:46621,
07:48guys, attention, guys on the Lorraine Hotel, call to switch to the F-2 frequency,
07:53all tank units to remain on the F-2 frequency, all guys not on the call,
07:57to switch to the F-1, 622,
08:00okay, is that John, guess,
08:01no, 3-5,
08:03okay, 3,
08:05622,
08:07Lieutenant, I want to meet you, we can get one available for you,
08:09okay, 3,
08:105-7, okay, on the call,
08:13okay, 1-5, 7,
08:144-4,
08:174-4, blend,
08:177-0,
08:198-0,
08:208-0,
08:218-0,
08:228-0,
08:228-0,
08:238-0,
08:238-0,
08:238-0,
08:238-0,
08:248-0,
08:248-0,
08:248-0,
08:248-0,
08:258-0,
08:258-0,
08:268-0,
08:278-0,
08:278-0,
08:288-0,
08:288-0,
08:298-0,
08:308-0,
08:308-0,
08:318-0,
08:318-0,
08:322-1,
08:331-0,
08:33623,
08:348-0,
08:3612-15,
08:3715 to 0,
08:4015 at 737 an area from plan,
08:42633,
08:44Corrections,
08:46623,
08:50414623,
08:5338,
08:5318,
08:5429 abouting
08:55solid�ouxlanders
08:56623,
08:5828,
09:0012 is service,
09:017,
09:02412 and 7, 624 and 38, the picture is okay.
09:0638, 624.
09:0957, I don't see.
09:11557, 624.
09:1325.
09:15At 1270, 8th and 8th, I'm at the lounge.
09:19624.
09:2125.
09:23Information that the subject has been followed, the subject responsible for the shooting has been followed.
09:28North on Danny Thomas, and then North on Thomas.
09:32North on Danny Thomas, and then North on Thomas.
09:363 and 8, Mustang, track 16.
09:39Okay, Sheriff's driver's copy, they were North on Thomas.
09:43From safety of the Parkway, 625.
09:4613, switch to the F1, 625.
09:49413 in service.
09:51413 in service, 625.
09:53Okay, advise the subject responsible for the shooting with North on Thomas.
09:59From the Parkway, 625.
10:02616, how long ago was that?
10:06Okay, they did advise Thomas.
10:09Okay, information that went North on Thomas.
10:14Attack 17.
10:16Okay, attack 17, 626, 101.
10:20865.
10:213544 city limits, 617.
10:25617 W.
10:28101.
10:29100.
10:30100.
10:31100.
10:3233
10:35100.
10:37515.
10:38516.
10:39Reverend Jackson, Middlebrook.
10:40515.
10:41515.
10:4276.
10:43Reverend Middlebrook and Reverend Jackson, advising they have a write to go up to you, or they can
10:47be admitted.
10:48100. 100, the governor wants to know where you can be contacted, public service.
10:55Relay that to me.
10:575-0, are you reading that?
11:00Repeat 100, we're not getting you. We want it to be relayed.
11:044-9-6-0-8.
11:079-2-3-2-7-8-8.
11:10Okay.
11:121-8-9-7.
11:141-8-9-7.
11:16Okay, 1-5-4-5-3, okay.
11:206-3-8-9-6.
11:235-6.
11:2524, report to 8 quarters, 6-3-8.
11:2824, report to 8 quarters.
11:3124, report to 8 quarters, 6-3-1.
11:341-4.
11:351-8-9-7.
11:37Okay, 15, 6-3-2.
11:4038-3.
11:42Okay, 38-6-3-2.
11:441-8-9-7.
11:5928-5-5-6.
12:02No idea million dollars.
12:07Team service, 4,000 in the service, 6,33, 24 on the scene, 6,34, 4,21, there's an only
12:19phone time left from Firestone, line A, Mustang with a wide middle line, this car is 4,21,
12:27it's checking on, it's been checked out, it's checked okay, KN2489, checks okay, 7, 39,
12:35we have one of these mobile units that Jackson in Hollywood, he states that he's talking
12:50to some fellow, following a Mustang, Easton Summer from Ireland, this full serve shot,
12:57K, K, K, last number, no last number, we'll take away the information,
13:04went from the complainant, white middle Easton Summer from Ireland, white middle Easton Summer
13:12from Ireland and a wide Mustang, responsible for this shooting, 36, 46, 42, pull down,
13:19pull down, split down, green, static is exceeding the speed limit, Easton Summer from Ireland,
13:28413 location, upper hybrid force, 13, pull up to white station at Trammer, okay, 413,
13:37413, repeat, 413, repeat, 1, 3, 2, repeat, have a car pulled up to white station at Trammer,
13:44it's supposed to be a blue, 1, 3, 3, 0, 1, 3, 0, 1, 3, 2, is being cut out, it's supposed
13:50to be a blue, yeah, home summer from Wang, car is stand by, 1, 2, repeat, Easton, 5, 36,
14:02The 50 is still being cut out, repeat.
14:05160 is north on Mendenhall of summer.
14:09Blue 66 Pontiac.
14:11Blue 66 Pontiac, north on Mendenhall of summer.
14:14North on Mendenhall of summer, 36.
14:17What is that?
14:1842.
14:1942.
14:21Blue Pontiac, north on Mendenhall of summer.
14:24This car is...
14:26160, this car is speeding over 75 miles per hour.
14:31160, this car is speeding over 75 miles per hour.
14:34North on Mendenhall of summer.
14:3665 for three miles wide.
14:38160.
14:39Just three white males in the car.
14:41Blue Pontiac, three white males occupied.
14:44Blue Pontiac, exceeding 75 miles per hour.
14:47North on Mendenhall of summer.
14:48Any location now?
14:49160.
14:50Anybody?
14:51160.
14:52150, put us on that Mustang call out here.
14:57We're Perkins and Walden.
14:5950.
15:0050.
15:0150.
15:0260.
15:0340.
15:0450.
15:0560.
15:0650.
15:0760.
15:0850.
15:0950.
15:1060.
15:1160.
15:1260.
15:1360.
15:14Supposed to be North O'Jackson now.
15:18Blue Pontiac, supposed to be North O'Jackson.
15:21On the way to Raleigh.
15:25On the way to Raleigh, North O'Jackson.
15:28North O'Jackson toward Raleigh.
15:30A Blue Pontiac occupying by three white males.
15:34These objects are supposed to be one of those shooting.
15:37641.
15:3826A, 1-6-0-1, Blue Pontiac convertible.
15:42660, is that a convertible?
15:44It's unknown, Corp 6-0 at this time.
15:48I don't know, 36 at this time.
15:51Okay, 36.
15:53640, 36.
15:54East on Lincoln, and then Blue Pontiac convertibles about as a male white and a homer and make a...
15:58on west.
16:0026A, Blue Pontiac convertible with some white males in it, but going west on Megan from Homer.
16:0845.
16:0925-7-643.
16:12I want to check out location at 840.
16:141-6-0-1.
16:1570-21-643.
16:151-6-0.
16:161-6-0.
16:173-1-6-0.
16:20That's a hardtop.
16:21He went through the light.
16:22It's Jackson and Stage Road at 95 miles an hour.
16:26Continue north on Austin Beach.
16:281-6-0-1.
16:30This is a Blue Pontiac hardtop.
16:32We're seeing northbound at Jackson and Stage.
16:35It must be a hundred mile fire.
16:38The white male in it, Blue Pontiac.
16:42We're seeing north at Jackson and Stage.
16:45At a high rate of speed.
16:476-4-4-1.
16:481-6-0.
16:51Yeah, I'm complaining with you then.
16:54I have a mobile unit talking to the mobile unit power in this car.
16:586-4-5.
16:59We've had that block up there and haven't seen the Pontiac at all.
17:02We've got the C.
17:04He's going to 7-6-4-5.
17:06Yeah, I see.
17:0620-point service.
17:0920-point service.
17:106-4-5.
17:116-0.
17:136-0.
17:14This white Mustang is shooting at the Blue Pontiac following him.
17:19We're in.
17:20He should be going on out.
17:23Austin Beach.
17:246-0.
17:256-0.
17:26This is advising the Blue Pontiac.
17:29He's shooting at the white Mustang.
17:31Following the white Mustang as his citizens are being.
17:34Following his blue Pontiac.
17:36Going on out.
17:37Austin Beach.
17:38The Civic is flying at the white Mustang.
17:421-6-0.
17:43They're approaching the Millington Road.
17:46That road that goes into base on Austin Beach.
17:496-0.
17:50This is advising they're approaching the Millington Road.
17:52That road that goes into the naval phase.
17:54The Pontiac.
17:55Last question.
17:56Blue Pontiac is flying upon the white Mustang.
17:59The white Mustang as citizens are being.
18:01Unit.
18:021-6-0.
18:03Question on that.
18:04The Mustang is shooting at the Pontiac.
18:07No cars.
18:08Correction.
18:09The White Mustang.
18:11This is advising the white Mustang.
18:13This is a white Mustang.
18:15That is flying at the Blue Pontiac.
18:17The white Mustang.
18:18Flying at the Blue Pontiac.
18:20Rotate.
18:21Let me see the rules that it goes into the naval phase.
18:233-8-7.
18:243-8-7.
18:253-8-6-4-8.
18:263-8.
18:273-8.
18:283-8-5-0.
18:293-8.
18:303-8-5-0.
18:31I'm planning on 6-4-9.
18:323-8.
18:333-8.
18:343-8.
18:353-8.
18:363-8.
18:373-8.
18:383-8.
18:393-8.
18:403-8.
18:413-8.
18:423-8.
18:433-8.
18:443-8.
18:453-8.
18:463-8.
18:474-13 in service.
18:494-13 in service.
18:504-13 in service.
18:51649.
18:523-8.
18:531-15.
18:5418-99 southward US�� Station Disturbuses.
18:566-7.
18:57i'll lower duty.
18:586-7.
18:596-8.
19:005-17.
19:015-17.
19:027-6.
19:03onie.
19:046-8.
19:058-4-9.
19:064-13 in service.
19:07How's it in service?
19:086-8.
19:094-20.
19:101261P behind the apartment 7, complainant 650.
19:13Okay.
19:15I'll take.
19:17Okay.
19:18No service.
19:19Okay.
19:206500, block on it.
19:22Yes, right, 6.
19:23Yes, okay.
19:24Yes.
19:2563825, Mississippi, other service, 650.
19:29Okay.
19:3014, 3834, southern, it's country club, other service, 650.
19:36Okay.
19:3728, 2365, Parkway Place, I must call, 650.
19:44Here you show us the headquarters.
19:46That's right.
19:47No name.
19:48Headquarter, 650.
19:5032.
19:5137, 37.
19:5337, 37, 650, 238, location.
19:5728, Perkins, Mauer.
20:00It is regarding 37, 3850, Bluffdale.
20:03Pick up the Army, Colonel.
20:0538.
20:0633.
20:0737.
20:08Yes, sir.
20:09650, 3.
20:10412, Pleasure and Overton Crossing on accident with a hamlet.
20:14650, 3.
20:1512.
20:16Yeah, on the same.
20:18Okay, 56, 53.
20:2016, the M-verse at 3881, Park and a hamlet's call, 650.
20:2564.
20:2616.
20:2719.
20:2838.
20:29Cloud clear.
20:3039.
20:3110-19.
20:32Eastern.
20:33I'm out from Wollett.
20:34West, number 57.
20:35We're behind, there's a call of M-verse at 37, 650.
20:366-foot-4.
20:379-3.
20:3815 on the same.
20:3915 on the same.
20:406-foot-5.
20:416 on the same.
20:426 on the same.
20:436 on the same.
20:446 on the same.
20:456 on the same.
20:466 on the same, 650.
20:476 on the same.
20:486 on the same.
20:496 on the same.
20:506 on the same.
20:516 on the same.
20:526 on the same.
20:536 on the same.
20:546 on the same.
20:556 on the same.
20:566 on the same.
20:576 on the same.
20:586 on the same.
20:596 on the same.
21:006 on the same.
21:016 on the same.
21:026 on the same.
21:036 on the same.
21:046 on the same.
21:056 on the same.
21:066 on the same.
21:076 on the same.
21:086 on the same.
21:096 on the same.
21:106 on the same.
21:116 on the same.
21:126 on the same.
21:136 on the same.
21:146 on the same.
21:156 on the same.
21:166 on the same.
21:174, 13-49, Madison and Drone, 6-6-0.
21:22Okay.
21:24Major 1, 18-04-Siles, 12-USL, 6-6-0.
21:296-4-0.
21:316-6-0.
Recommended
1:30
|
Up next
1:20
0:15
22:00