Infamous Assassinations: Profiles 1953 - 1995

Martin Luther King

Who was he? A charismatic advocate for black civil rights whose visionary campaigning helped outlaw racial discrimination in the United States.

When was he assassinated? April 4, 1968.

Where was he assassinated? Memphis, Tennessee.

Who did it? James Earl Ray, an escaped convict.

Why? There has never been a satisfactory explanation of Ray's motive.

What happened? King was shot in the neck with a rifle while standing on the balcony of his motel during a visit to Memphis in support of a sanitation workers' strike. Ray was convicted of the crime after an initial confession but later protested his innocence.

What was the consequence? King's assassination sparked riots in more than 100 U.S. cities. Despite Ray's conviction, many people still believe King was the victim of a right-wing or government conspiracy.