MLK, JR. FROM PAGE A1
through the stunned city, Negroes in scattered areas also looted stores, stoned police and firetrucks and tossed several firebombs. Two policemen were injured, mainly by flying glass when a shotgun blast broke their windshield.
Four hours after King died, the city was quieting some, but police still reported sporadic outbreaks.
Police also said they found a 30.05 rifle on Main Street about one block from the motel, but it was not confirmed whether this was the weapon that killed King.
An aide who was standing nearby said the shot hit King in the neck and lower right part of his face.
“Martin Luther King is dead,” said Assistant Police Chief Henry Lux, the first word of the death.
Assistant Hospital Administrator Paul Hess confirmed later that King died at 7 p.m. of a bullet wound in the neck.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson said he and others in the King party were getting ready to go to dinner when the shooting occurred.
“King was on the second-floor balcony of the motel,” Jackson said. “He had just bent over. If he had been standing up, he wouldn’t have been hit in the face.”
King had just told Ben Branch: “My man, be sure to sing ‘Blessed Lord’ tonight, and sing it well.”
A shot then rang out, Jackson said. Jackson said the only sound King uttered after that was, “Oh!”
