Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Malcom X's Grandson Malcolm Shabazz Killed In Mexico
By
Jen Chung
Published May 10, 2013
Modified May 10, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 10, 2013
Modified May 10, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Malcolm Shabazz, the grandson of Malcolm X, was killed in Mexico yesterday. The Amsterdam News reports, "Several reports around the circumstances of his death, stilled unconfirmed, have rummored that he died early Thursday morning, May 9, 2013 from injuries sustained after he was thrown off a building or shot as he was being robbed in Tijuana... Family members have confirmed his death and that he was in Mexico but have not confirmed the exact location or circumstances of how Malcolm Shabazz died."
A friend, Terrie Williams, Tweeted, "I'm confirming, per U.S. Embassy, on behalf of family, the tragic death of Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X.Statement frm family 2 come."
When he was 12 years old, Shabazz pleaded guilty to starting a fire outside the bedroom of his grandmother Betty Shabazz. Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X's wife, eventually died from her critical injuries (blood drives were held for her) and experts testified that the boy was psychotic and schizophrenic. Former mayor David Dinkins, a friend of Malcolm X, was one of the lawyers who represented young Malcolm Shabazz, and told the NY Times at the time, "You have a situation where a grandmother loves a grandchild and the grandchild loves that grandmother. I don't see a conflict."
The Times reports, "He was jailed and released after four years, but was incarcerated again shortly afterward for attempted robbery. He joined a gang, he said in a 2003 profile in The New York Times, but also worked with Ms. Williams, a publicist and author, speaking with teenagers and warning them to avoid drugs and gang life."
Shabazz's website says, "Malcolm is the first male heir of Malcolm X. However, this young man has developed into his own as he has overcome obstacle after obstacle in his life. Since his release from prison a few years ago he has been traveling throughout the US and around the world speaking to different audiences about the struggles that confront this generation. Malcolm is a humble, passionate and forceful speaker who’s emerging as a voice for our generation as a writer in the process of publishing his first 2 books." A March entry notes how he was prohibited from traveling to Iran for a film festival:
"In the beginning of 2012 I had been informed that I was under investigation by the F.B.I.'s Counter Terrorism Task Force Unit located in Goshen, N.Y... I was picked up by authorities after I filed for a visa to Iran, and 2 days prior to my departure. A detective squad from the City of Middletown Police Department surrounded me in the street about 2 blocks from where I was residing. They asked me my name, and I gave them an alias, but they were already well aware of who I actually was. I didn't tell them my real name because I didn't know what was going on. When I was brought before a Judge of City of Middletown court I was surprised to be informed that I was being charged with Grand Larceny, and False Impersonation charge. Then I was sent to jail, and told to appear again 7 days later. Then following court date the bogus charge of Grand Larceny, which they only put to justify stopping me in first place, was dropped. And they left me to face the False Impersonation. I was offered 90 days for the offense of giving the authorities the wrong name which I declined before bailing out after 2 weeks."
The Amsterdam News, which says that Shabazz denied setting the fire in recent years, reports, "Malcolm Shabazz was in the process of writing two books, at least one of which was a manuscript, and he was attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York."
Tagged
betty shabazz
malcolm shabazz
malcolm x
mexico
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
Officers responding to a call at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 173rd Street around 1 a.m. found 29-year-old Sulimon Ferrier, who had multiple stab wounds to his chest, police said.
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 4:38 p.m. ET
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
It’s unclear if the attackers knew the victim was NYPD.
By
Jill Webb
News
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
It’s unclear if the attackers knew the victim was NYPD.
By
Jill Webb
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
By
Catalina Gonella
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
By
Willow Higgins
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .