Malcolm Shabazz, Grandson Of Malcolm X, Dead At 28

Juan Ruiz, a member of the California-based labor organization Rumec, told Talking Points Memothat Shabazz was in Mexico City with Miguel Suarez at the time of his murder.

Earlier reports claimed that he was in Tijuana.

“He’s a supporter of our organization,” said Ruiz. “He went to Mexico to meet with Miguel.”

The organization confirmed that he was traveling with them via a Facebook post.

To who responds, I am Miguel Suarez, leader of a labor movement in the United States and I am accompanied by Malcolm X’s grandson. His name is Malcolm Shabazz and he wanted to see if it is possible to to speak and publish our history in their [publication]…what we saw in Mexico City. 

 Juan Ruiz and Miguel Suarez stand on either side of Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X. (PHOTO CREDIT: San Francisco Bay View)

Though earlier reports claimed that Shabazz was shot, Ruiz said that the young revolutionary was beaten to death:

He was murdered. He was in Mexico City and I believe they attempted to rob him and he didn’t allow it, so they beat him to death and he died on his way to the hospital,” said Ruiz. “This is all I can confirm, everything else is under investigation for the meantime.”

Officials with the State Department would not confirm Shabazz’s death, but did confirm the death of a US citizen:

“We are aware of the death of a U.S. citizen in Mexico City. We have been in contact with the family members and at their request, there will be no further comment at this time,” a State Department official said in response to an inquiry about Shabazz.

 The Amsterdam News reports:

The Amsterdam News has learned, and the U.S. Embassy has reportedly confirmed, that Malcolm Shabazz, son of Malcolm X, was killed on early Thursday morning, May 9, 2013.

“I’m confirming, per US Embassy, on behalf of family, the tragic death of Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X. Statement frm family 2 come,” wrote close friend of the Shabazz family Terrie M. Williams on twitter.

He reportedly died from injuries sustained after he was thrown off a building as he was being robbed in Tijuana. Again, this has not been confirmed.

Early reports said he was shot. Information is still coming in.

Shabazz is survived by his three year old daughter, Ilyasah, his mother, Qubilah, and his closest aunt, Ilyasah, among others. Shabazz was living with his grandmother Betty Shabazz, when he set fire to her Yonkers, N.Y. home in 1997. Mrs. Shabazz died from severe burns caused by the fire. Shabazz was just 12-years-old at the time. He eventually plead guilty to manslaughter and arson and was sentenced to 18 months in a juvenile detention facility. Years later, he told the Amsterdam News that he had not set the fire.

He was in the process of writing two books, at least one of which was a manuscript. He was attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.