The tragic news regarding the killing of Malcolm Shabazz in Mexico spread rapidly. Speculation of how he was murdered ranged from gunfire to being thrown from a rooftop. A source said late last night (May 9) that Shabazz was allegedly beaten in a robbery attempt and died while en route to a Mexico City hospital for treatment.
Talking Points Memo (TPM) followed up on the quickly developing story after family friend Terrie Williams posted to her Facebook page the news of Shabazz’s death. Juan Ruiz, a member of the California-based labor organization RUMEC, said Shabazz was in Mexico City to meet with a RUMEC leader, Miguel Suarez. “He’s a supporter of our organization” said Ruiz, an associate of Shabazz. “He went to Mexico to meet with Miguel.”
Suarez, shown a photo with Shabazz on the next page, was deported from the United States in April. State Department officials have been mum about the details of Shabazz’s death, electing to sidestep all inquiries of the murder.
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,” said a State Department spokesperson in response to TPM.
Ruiz, who lives in the United States, says Shabazz, the grandson of slain civil rights leader Malcolm X, was beaten in a robbery and apparently received word of the still unconfirmed details via Suarez.
“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.”
This story is still developing.
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Photo: YouTube
