Malcolm Shabazz, the grandson of the late civil rights leader Malcolm X, has died while in Mexico. The news first broke when a family friend named Terrie Williams announced his death on Facebook and Twitter. TPM has independently confirmed his death through another source with close knowledge of the situation. According to an associate, Shabazz was beaten during a robbery Wednesday night in Mexico City.
Like his namesake, Shabazz, who was 28, was actively engaged in politics. Juan Ruiz, a member of the California-based labor organization Rumec, told TPM Shabazz was in Mexico City with one of the group’s leaders, Miguel Suarez who had been deported from the United States last month.
“He’s a supporter of our organization” said Ruiz. “He went to Mexico to meet with Miguel.”
A posting made Wednesday evening on Rumec’s Facebook page said Shabazz was in Mexico City with Suarez and wanted to share their story with local media.
Multiple members of Shabazz’s family did not respond to a request for comment from TPM. Officials with the State Department would not confirm Shabazz’s death.
“We are aware of the death of a U.S. citizen in Mexico City. We have been in contact with family members, and at their request we have no further comment at this time,” a State Department spokesperson said in response to an inquiry about Shabazz.
According to Ruiz, Shabazz died after being beaten during a robbery. Though Ruiz is currently in the United States, he said he had been in communication with Suarez who was with Shabazz at the time of his death.
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