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FULTON, MO. -- By Kate Walls

Ralph Abernathy and Samuel “Billy” Kyles were standing on the balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot.

"I looked back. He had been knocked back from the railing of the balcony back onto the floor,” Kyles said. “I rushed to his side. There was a tremendous hole in the side of his face. There was a bigger wound under his shirt. I couldn't see the wound, but I could see all the blood."

Kyles is in Fulton this week sharing his stories of his friend’s assassination and the Civil Rights Movement.

Kyles spoke with students and the public Tuesday at William Woods University.

Kyles talked about the hours before the shooting on April 4, 1968 and the effect the death of his dear friend had on the world.

"I doubt that a day goes by that something doesn't remind me of that awful day,” Kyles said. “But Memphis has been able to turn that negative around. And people come from all over to visit the museum and we're pleased with that."

Kyles has another speaking event Monday night at 7 p.m. in Cutlip Auditorium and Tuesday at noon in the Ivy Room on the William Woods University campus. Both events are free and open to the public.

For more information call (573) 642-2251