Tragic Mark- The Bullet Wounds That Ended Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life at the Lorraine Motel

Where was Martin Luther King Shot on His Body?

The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, marked a tragic moment in American history. King, a prominent civil rights leader, was shot while standing on the second floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel. The bullet entered his body near his right ear and exited through his left shoulder, causing severe injuries that ultimately led to his death. The location of the shot on his body has become a poignant symbol of the violence and injustice that plagued the civil rights movement during that era.

The night of his assassination, King was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers’ strike. He had been staying at the Lorraine Motel for several days, where he was planning to address a rally the following day. At approximately 6:01 p.m., as King stood on the balcony of his room, he was struck by a single bullet fired from a distance of about 200 feet. The assassin, James Earl Ray, was later identified and convicted of the murder.

The wound on King’s body was a clear indication of the violence directed at him and the civil rights movement. The bullet entered near his right ear, causing immediate damage to his brain and spinal cord. The exit wound on his left shoulder further compounded his injuries. King was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. that evening.

The location of the shot on King’s body has been a subject of much discussion and analysis. Some have speculated that the bullet may have been fired at a downward angle, which would explain why it entered near his ear and exited through his shoulder. Others have suggested that the shooter may have been aiming for King’s head, but the bullet missed its target and struck him in the shoulder instead.

The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. has had a lasting impact on American society. It serves as a stark reminder of the violence and divisiveness that plagued the civil rights movement during the 1960s. The location of the shot on King’s body has become a powerful symbol of the pain and suffering experienced by those fighting for equality and justice. As we remember the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., it is important to reflect on the lessons learned from his tragic death and to continue the fight for a more just and equitable society.