In 1967, it was merged with nearby all-boys Wilbur Wright High School (which had opened in 1928) to create Murray–Wright.

The board named the school after Philip J. Murray, a labor leader, in January 1960.

[6] In 1969, a group of around 20 students demanded the removal of principal Lucy Duck, who was a White American.

[7] In February 1970, about 120 U.S. history students from Centennial High School in Windsor, Ontario visited Murray–Wright.

In April 1970, 85 black students from Murray–Wright visited Centennial for a day to discuss whether they preferred nonviolent or violent methods of achieving racial equality.

[9] On February 12, 1976, about six intruders, who according to police looked like junior high students or younger, entered Murray–Wright.

Outside of the door to the school, two of the intruders brandished guns and fired into the group, shooting and injuring five students.

On Monday February 9, during that year, vandals attacked the school, damaging computer equipment, breaking windows, and causing other destruction.

[13] In October of that year, after a pep rally went out of control, police detained six juveniles and arrested six adults.

[18] On April 16, 1987, a student at Murray–Wright entered the school parking lot and shot 17-year-old Chester Jackson, a junior running back, in the head, killing him.

Risen said that Turner's injuries occurred "apparently in the school's corridors as the attacker fled the building.

[24] The Los Angeles Times News Service said that the 1987 Murray–Wright shooting was the incident that put "most clearly into focus" the epidemic of youth violence in Detroit.