SECTION 15

February 4, 1965–February 25, 1965

REPORTS:

1. February 4, 1965. SAC, Chicago to Director. Airtel 2. February 8, 1965. New York 3. February 9, 1965. New York 4. February 10, 1965. Paris, Jack Monet article, New York Herald Tribune 5. February 16, 1965. New York 6. February 17, 1965. SAC, Detroit to Director. Airtel 7. February 17, 1965. Detroit 8. February 16, 1965. New York 9. February 19, 1965. SAC, Chicago to Director. Airtel 10. February 18, 1965. New York to Director. Teletype 11. February 22, 1965. New York to Director. Teletype 12. February 22, 1965. New York to Director. Teletype 13. February 23, 1965. Washington D.C. to Director. Teletype 14. February 24, 1965. Memo. Philadelphia 15. February 22, 1965. Memo. Baumgardner to Sullivan 16. February 22, 1965. Memo. Bland to Sullivan 17. February 22, 1965. Chicago to Director. Teletype 18. February 22, 1965. Memo. Bland to Sullivan 19. February 22, 1965. Memo. Bland to Sullivan 20. February 24, 1965. New York to Director. Teletype 21. February 25, 1965. Memo. SAC, New York to Director

This section, one of the most confusing, covers the period leading up to the assassination and the assassination itself. The furious pace of his schedule increased even more in the month of February as Malcolm inwardly conceded that his life was nearing its end. He actively rethought his philosophy and was, as he said in his autobiography, “man enough to tell you that I can’t put my finger on exactly what my philosophy is now, but I’m flexible” (p.428).

He apparently covered his finances for this final period with a $20,000 advance on his autobiography from the publishers, Dou-bleday and Co., but even these funds would be spent by the time of his death.

His final weeks were clearly frustrating for him. Authorities denied him entrance into France on February 9, causing him to exclaim, “I thought I was in South Africa. They let . . . Tshombe in. He’s the worst person on earth.”

This episode also caused him to reconsider his indictment of the NOI as his killers, as he noted in his autobiography:

But you know . . . the more I keep thinking about this thing, the things that have been happening lately, I’m not at all sure it’s the Muslims. I know what they can do, and what they can’t, and they can’t do some of the stuff recently going on . . . the more I keep thinking about what happened to me in France, I think I’m going to quit saying it’s the Muslims, (pp. 430–431)

His home in East Elmhurst, Queens was firebombed in the early morning of February 14, and he was soon after evicted by a court order. The FBI clearly believes that he attempted to burn the house himself. He was killed one week later, on Sunday, February 21 at the Audubon Ballroom.

The extent of the FBI’s knowledge about Malcolm’s assassination is difficult to surmise from the correspondence provided in this edition of the file, but it seems that lower-level agents were taken by surprise. It also seems that from the moment of Malcolm’s death, the FBI suspected groups other than just the NOI. One informant told FBI agents that it looked like an inside job of the MMI. One source, with confirmation from another, indicated that investigators should “check out Washington and [the] CIA because they wanted Malcolm out of the way because he ‘snafued’ African relations for the U.S.”

The reports of the shooting and evidence continue into the next section, but enough reports from this section indicate that the FBI might have thought that Malcolm’s own people were responsible, due to the fact that Malcolm’s guards appeared negligent that afternoon, and, according to a witness, there was “a definite lack of security at this rally.” It is interesting to note that the FBI was aware that a pack of Camel cigarettes was found in a green suit coat with the sawed-off shotgun. Muslims are not supposed to smoke.

The FBI had to deal with the most prominent suspects, which at the time were Hayer and the NOI. Talmadge Hayer had been apprehended, and an OAAU member had turned in the .45 caliber pistol he had used in the shooting. This member would apparently figure heavily in the trial of Hayer in 1966. The FBI questioned this witness extensively along with witnesses who stated that MMI members would attempt to retaliate against the NOI and Elijah Muhammad.

FBI

TO	:	DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM	:	SAC, CHICAGO (100-33593) (P)
SUBJECT	:
MALCOLM		K. LITTLE, aka IS-MMI (OO: New York)

Re Chicago teletype to Director dated 1/29/65.

Referenced teletype stated that MALCOLM X was to appear on “Kup’s Show,” a TV panel-type discussion, on 1/30/65 in Chicago.

“Kup’s Show” is a local TV show televised over WBKB-TV, Chicago, from approximately 12:15 A.M. to 3:00 A.M. on Sunday mornings. This show was televised on 1/31/65 but was taped on 1/30/65 P.M. at studios of WBKB-TV, Chicago. IRVING KUPCINET, Chicago newspaper columnist and TV moderator, conducts the show.

The following is the transcript:

KUPCINET:	MALCOLM, you know you’ve changed a lot since your first appearance on this show some years ago. At that time you were sort of a stormy individual and you hated all whites you said.
MALCOLM:	I’ve gotten older.
KUPCINET:	Now you have a different attitude completely and you told me that your religious experience in Cairo has changed your attitude and your outlook.
MALCOLM:	Well, as a Muslim, since I left ELIJAH MUHAMMAD’s Black Muslim movement, I should say since they put me out ’cause that is what they did, I have had a chance to do some traveling and travel does broaden your scope, and as a Muslim whose religion is Islam, as it is practiced and taught in the Muslim world, I realize that it is impossible to call oneself a Muslim, to call one’s religion Islam and at the same time judge a man by the color of his skin. . . .
KUPCINET:	This poses two very interesting things. In other words, you no longer believe as ELIJAH MUHAMMAD has been quoted as saying that all white men are devils. You have changed everything.
MALCOLM:	If ELIJAH MUHAMMAD says that all white men are devils, then you have the King of Arabia, King Faisal, who is white. He is the keeper of the Holy City of Mecca and many other Arabs, in Egypt, in Algeria, and in other places. They are from all appearances white.
KUPCINET:	Now this poses a second problem I would like to get your opinion on. Of course, you may be biased because you no longer are a member of the so-called Black Muslims, but is the Black Muslim a religion or not, because this is coming up in a case in Chicago where a prisoner in Stateville converted from Roman Catholicism to Black Muslim and demanded to be allowed to practice his religion in jail. The warden denied this because he said the Black Muslims were not a bona fide religion. How do you feel?
MALCOLM:	I want to answer that with this explanation first. Number one: no one can use me against ELIJAH MUHAMMAD or against the Black Muslim movement. On the other hand, anything that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD says or does, or the Black Muslim movement says or does, which I feel is against the best interest of the Black community, then I will attack it myself, but I won’t attack it because someone sics me on it, . . . Islam teaches that belief in all of the prophets, especially MUHAMMAD ibn ABD ALLAH, who was born and died in Arabia fourteen hundred years ago and the Muslim believes that MUHAMMAD of Arabia was the last prophet, the last messenger, whereas ELIJAH MUHAMMAD teaches that MUHAMMAD of Arabia was not a prophet, but an enthusiast, and that he, himself, ELIJAH, is the prophet, so that . . . what ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is teaching is diametrically opposed to the principles of Islam and the Mushm world itself, the religious officials at Mecca and other religious officials and those at the top authority on Islam theology, totally reject what ELIJAH MUHAMMAD teaches as being any phase, even of Islam. On the other hand, what he is teaching can be easily defined as a religion, but it cannot be labeled Islam . . . and I think that if the penal authorities were farsighted enough to permit the religion of Islam, real Islam, true Islam, to be taught in prison by qualified Islamic religious leaders as they let Judaism, Catholicism and the Protestant religions be taught there, then many of the people that are in prison would not be misled like I, myself, was because there is a vacuum in this country where Islam is concerned . . . and in that vacuum, it is easy for any phony or faker to come along with a concocted, distorted product of his own making, and say that this is Islam.
KUPCINET:	Are you by inference saying that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is a faker and a phony?
MALCOLM:	If ELIJAH MUHAMMAD really believed in the same God that I believed in—I believe in ELIJAH MUHAMMAD stronger than he believed in himself. I believed in his God more than he did and I was not aware of this until I found he was confronted with a crisis in his own personal moral life and he did not stand up as a man. Anybody could make a moral mistake, but when they have to lie about it and will be willing to see that murder is committed to cover up their mistake not only are they not divine, they are not even a man. . . .
KUPCINET:	Are you trying to tell us that there has been an attack on your life because of your withdrawal from the Muslim religion?
MALCOLM:	I have had several.
KUPCINET:	You have?
MALCOLM:	And just thanks to ALLAH, so far I have been successful. I believe that when you are a black man born in this particular society, you are faced with certain dangers already. You get used to it and plus the stand that I took when I was in the Black Muslim movement was uncompromising. I defended an indefensible position. Anyone that defends an indefensible position as I did—they must have believed in it.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

New York, New York
February 8, 1965

Malcolm K. Little

Internal Security—Muslim Mosque, Incorporated

On February 5, 1965 [BUREAU DELETION] advised that they recently received the following information concerning the source of finances of MMI and OAAU leader Malcolm K. Little, better known as Malcolm X. This information [BUREAU DELETION] Malcolm X has recently received the sum of $20,000 which represents an advance on his forthcoming book, to be published by Doubleday and Company, Incorporated; and, as payment for the autobiography on him which appeared in the September 12, 1964, edition of the magazine, “The Saturday Evening Post.”

[BUREAU DELETION] also advised that Malcolm X has also undoubtedly received some compensation for appearances and speeches he has recently made on radio and television and at several colleges.

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; it is the property of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

New York, New York
February 9, 1965

Malcolm K. Little

Internal Security—Muslim Mosque, Incorporated

On February 5, 1965, Malcolm K. Little was observed by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation boarding Trans World Airlines, (TWA), Flight 700, at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport for London, England. TWA Flight 700 departed JFK International Airport at 8:11 P.M., and was scheduled to arrive at London, England at 11:15 P.M., London time.

[BUREAU DELETION] TWA, JFK International Airport, advised, on February 5, 1965, that Malcolm Little purchased an economy class ticket under the name M. Shabazz for London, Paris, Geneva, and return to New York. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that Little departed for London, England on TWA Flight 700, on February 5, 1965, with “open dates” to continue his trip to Paris, Geneva, and return trip to New York.

[BUREAU DELETION] that Little paid $478.80 cash for his plane tickets.

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; it is the property of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI

TO	:	DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
FROM	:	LEGAT, PARIS (100-2171) (P)
SUBJECT	:	MALCOLM K. LITTLE, also known as Malcom X, M. Shabazz IS-MMI

[BUREAU DELETION]

Clipping from the New York Herald Tribune . . . enclosed herewith for the Bureau.

If we receive any additional information from [BUREAU DELETION] relative to subject we will promptly furnish it to the Bureau and interested offices.

New York Herald Tribune, European Edition

February 10, 1965, page 3

France Bars Malcolm X To Avoid “Trouble” at Meeting

By Jack Monet

Paris, Feb. 9.—French authorities today barred Malcolm X from entering the country to deliver a talk.

The American black nationalist leader arrived from London at Orly International Airport this morning, learned from French security officials that his presence was “undesirable” and was put on a flight back to London two hours later.

An Interior Ministry spokesman said it was decided that a meeting Malcolm X was to address tonight could “provoke demonstrations that would trouble public order.”

Malcolm X, the most outspoken exponent of violent activities to further Negro-as-such strength in the United States, was to speak at the Salle de la Mutualité on “The Afro-American Struggle for Freedom.”

The meeting tonight was sponsored by the Federation of African Students in France, the principal African student organization here, and the Committee of Members of the Afro-American Community in Paris.

Despite the proscription of Malcolm X, the Prefecture of Police maintained its authorization for the meeting, so the sponsors decided to go ahead later tonight with a quickly organized “protest” session.

About 300 persons, a third of them white, attended the meeting. The speakers denounced the ban on Malcolm X, white mercenary intervention in the Congo and American raids on North Vietnam, all interpreted as attacks on non-white peoples.

In London, Malcolm X expressed shock at his treatment in France. “The authorities would not even let me contact the American embassy,” he said.”

“I thought I was in South Africa. They let (Congolese Premier) Tshombe in. He’s the worst person on earth.”

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

New York, New York
February 16, 1965

Malcolm K. Little

Internal Security—Muslim Mosque, Incorporated

[BUREAU DELETION] New York City Police Department (NYCPD), advised the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on February 14, 1965, that early that morning Malcolm X’s home was destroyed by a fire.

On February 14, 1965, a conference was held at the 114th Precinct, NYCPD, at 23-16 30th Avenue, Queens, New York, with Special Agents (SAs) of the FBI, [BUREAU DELETION] Detective District, New York City, [BUREAU DELETION] New York City, concerning the burning of the residence of Malcolm X, 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, leader of the MMI and the OAAU.

[BUREAU DELETION] stated that the first alarm was received by telephone at 2:46 A.M. February 14, 1965, from [BUREAU DELETION] East Elmhurst, Queens, New York. [BUREAU DELETION] later interviewed by the fire department, stated she was awakened by the noise of glass breaking. She looked out the window and saw a round hole in Malcolm X’s living room window, and the room was in flames. [BUREAU DELETION] stated she saw no one near Malcolm X’s residence at that time.

[BUREAU DELETION] advised that the second alarm was sounded by [BUREAU DELETION] Queens, New York, a cab driver who, with an unidentified passenger, noticed a bush burning in front of Malcolm X’s residence. [BUREAU DELETION] said he put the bush fire out and while doing so, he heard glass breaking twice. He stated he then looked along the side of the house, and saw a fire in the rear of the home. He then stated he knocked at the front door of Malcolm X’s home and at the same time, heard voices inside. He then knew that they were awake so he ran to set off the fire alarm.

[BUREAU DELETION] said that from the time he first saw the bush fire in front of the home to the time the fire department arrived, he neither saw nor heard any person or vehicle leaving the area.

[BUREAU DELETION] stated the fire engines arrived at Malcolm X’s home at 2:50 A.M. on 2/14/65. He stated the fire was confined to the living room area, with smoke and water damaging areas of the home. He stated Malcolm X, his wife and four children, ages six months to six years, escaped through the back door and were in the back yard when the fire apparatus arrived.

[BUREAU DELETION] stated that an investigation conducted by the New York City Police and Fire Departments disclosed the following:

Investigation of Fire

1. The bushes and front of the home on the right side of the front steps were scorched.

2. The fire was confined to the living room only.

3. The rear bedroom window was broken, the ground and fence in the vicinity of the broken rear window were scorched.
The Venetian blind on the broken rear window was closed and down, and was scorched at the bottom, although there was no evidence of fire in the rear bedroom.

Evidence Obtained At Scene of Fire

1. The bottom ⅛ part of a whiskey bottle containing gasoline was found in the enclosed front porch. The glass of the bottle was scorched, although there was no evidence of a fire in the front porch area.

2. A quart whiskey bottle filled with gasoline was located standing upright on the dresser in the rear bedroom where Malcolm X’s other daughters slept. This bottle had a screw cap which was intact and did not have rags attached to it.

It is noted that all firemen who entered Malcolm X’s home during the fire were interviewed and all stated they did not place the bottle on the dresser.

3. A broken neck of a whiskey bottle with a scorched cloth wick attached to the neck of the bottle was located in the rear of the said home at approximately 15 feet from the house and near the bedroom with the broken window and scorched ground and fence.

4. A broken neck of a whiskey bottle and shoulder of a whiskey bottle which matched the neck section was found in the center of Malcolm X’s bedroom. A piece of cloth soaked with gasoline but unscorched, was on the bedroom floor a few feet from the broken whiskey bottle. No evidence of a fire could be located in this bedroom.

The youngest daughter, age six months, slept in a third bedroom opposite Malcolm X’s room.

No evidence of bottles could be located in the living room where the fire was confined, but according to [BUREAU DELETION] there was evidence that gasoline was used in the living room fire.

[BUREAU DELETION]

The investigation by [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] determined that Malcolm X stated he awoke himself and discovered the fire and that his wife, Betty, stated that she awoke him and then grabbed their children and left their home through the rear door.

Malcolm X, after the fire, and during the interview, showed no emotion or anger and actually laughed when he was asked who he thought may have burned his home.

Malcolm X left his family with friends, returned to his home after the fire was put out, secured some clothing and recording tapes and left about 9:00 A.M. for a meeting in Detroit.

[BUREAU DELETION] NYCPD, advised on February 14, 1965, that Malcolm X and his family are staying at the home of Thomas Wallace, 34-50 110th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, who is a known member of the MMI.

[BUREAU DELETION] advised on February 14, 1965, that Malcolm X departed from New York City by plane at 9:30 A.M. February 14, 1965, for Detroit, Michigan.

2/17/65

AIRTEL

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI

FROM: SAC, DETROIT (157-838)(P)

AFRO-AMERICAN BROADCASTING

AND RECORDING COMPANY

DETROIT, MICH.

RACIAL MATTERS

[BUREAU DELETION]

On 2/14/65, at approximately 11:30 A.M., [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE from the city limits of Detroit to the Statler Hilton Hotel where he registered in room 638. [BUREAU DELETION]

Upon arriving at the Statler Hilton Hotel, [BUREAU DELETION] immediately began to question MALCOLM LITTLE regarding the bombing of his home in New York. LITTLE related that he did not see any of the perpetrators but he believed that the bombing was a result of a feud between himself and ELIJAH MOHAMMAD; however, it is the opinion of [BUREAU DELETION] that LITTLE did see at least one of the men responsible for the bombing because he later stated that he had attempted to fire a .25 caliber automatic to frighten off the men, but the gun misfired.

About this time, [BUREAU DELETION] became concerned about LITTLE’s health and he called for the services of a [BUREAU DELETION] who arrived [BUREAU DELETION] and administered a sedative to MALCOLM LITTLE. After the drug was administered MALCOLM became very drowsy and incoherent for the remainder of the day.

At approximately 4:00 P.M. on 2/14/65, MALCOLM LITTLE was awakened to be interviewed by a news crew from WXYZ-TV. During the remainder of the day and up to approximately one-half hour before his speech, he slept.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Detroit, Michigan
February 17, 1965
Re:Afro-American Broadcasting
and Recording Company
Detroit, Michigan

[BUREAU DELETION] that Malcolm Little was the featured speaker at the First Annual Dignity Projection and Scholarship Award ceremony sponsored by the Afro-American Broadcasting and Recording Company on February 14, 1965, at the Ford Auditorium, 20 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.

Editor’s note. Excerpted in the file are Malcolm’s comments on the hyprocrisy of a society that preaches brotherhood on Sunday but fails to practice it any day, a society that in the name of brotherhood every day practices violence against people of color everywhere. Emphatically stating that he “would not call upon anybody to be violent without a cause,” Malcolm then makes it clear that black Americans have long had cause and that the time has come for them to protect themselves against their oppressors “no matter how many necks [they have] to break and heads [they have] to crack.”

Malcolm later points up the need of his people to “start learning a new language”—a language that the Ku Klux Klan, “a cowardly outfit,” can understand. It is the duty of blacks themselves to stop the crimes being committed against them and assert the human rights the federal government, for all its talk, has continually failed to grant them.

After commenting on the role of the Organization of Afro-American Unity in the struggle for human rights at an international level, Malcolm speaks of the organization’s need nationally for involvement in voter registration—but not without voter education. He would not, however, send any civil rights workers to states like Mississippi and Alabama “without some kind of protection “ and without training in the arts of self-defense.

Malcolm concludes by stating “again that I am not a racist; I do not believe in any form of segregation or anything like that; I am for the brotherhood of everybody, but I do not believe in forcing brotherhood upon people who do not want it.”

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

New York, New York
February 16, 1965
Organization of Afro-American Unity
Internal Security—Miscellaneous

[BUREAU DELETION] OAAU held a public rally from 8:15 P.M. to 10:15 P.M., February 15, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom, Broadway and 166th Street, New York City. Approximately six hundred persons were in attendance. There was extensive press coverage of the rally.

The meeting was opened by MMI Assistant Minister Benjamin X Goodman who made a few introductory remarks and then introduced the featured speaker, OAAU and MMI leader, Malcolm X Little.

Malcolm X talked at length on the firebombs which were thrown into his house in the early morning of February 14, 1965, destroying the house. He was quite angry and upset that the incident had placed his wife and daughters in danger and he angrily accused the NOI of doing it on the direct orders of NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad. He ridiculed the suggestion by the NOI that he set the fire himself and claimed that he knew absolutely nothing about his being evicted from the house on February 15, 1965, based on a court action by the NOI, until he heard it on the radio on February 15, 1965.

Malcolm X then claimed that a conspiracy exists between the NOI and the Ku Klux Klan that is not in the best interest of the black people. He alleged that both the NOI and the Klan have agreed to leave each other alone and that the Klan has offered land in North Carolina to the NOI for the latter’s “separate state” for Negroes plan. Malcolm X also implied that Elijah Muhammad and his NOI are sympathetically linked with George Lincoln Rockwell and his American Nazi Party.

[An article in the February 16, 1965, edition of the New York Times] explained that the house of Malcolm X at 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, was set aflame by firebombs thrown into it on February 14, 1965, and a NOI official had previously indicated that he believed that Malcolm X had set off the firebombs himself to get publicity. This article further indicated that the NOI held title to the house and had obtained a court order in June, 1964, calling for Malcolm X to vacate the house, an order he had appealed to the New York Appellate Division. However, Malcolm X was evicted from the ruined house on February 15, 1965, when the (Queens County) Civil Court refused Malcolm X a further stay of the eviction.

This article went on to state that at the OAAU Rally on February 15, 1965, Malcolm X stated that in the racial situation he has switched his attack to the (Ku Klux) Klan and (George Lincoln) Rockwell, leader of the American Nazi Party. Malcolm X indicated that he was doing this because he had seen NOI leader Elijah Muhammad make agreements with Rockwell and the Klan that were not in the interests of Negroes.

FBI

TO	:	DIRECTOR, FBI
FROM	:	SAC, CHICAGO (100-35635)
SUBJECT	:	NATION OF ISLAM IS—NOI

Re Philadelphia teletype to Director, Chicago and New York dated 2/16/65, entitled “Organization of Afro-American Unity, IS—MISCELLANEOUS,”

Referenced teletype reflected a meeting of the OAAU was held on 2/15/65, at Audubon Ballroom, in New York City; that MALCOLM LITTLE was the main speaker and alleged that while he was active in the NOI in 12/60, he attended a meeting with [BUREAU DELETION] of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD’s Mosque [BUREAU DELETION] and KKK officials at [BUREAU DELETION] home in Atlanta for the purpose of negotiating for land for ELIJAH MUHAMMAD to set up a separate state in Georgia or in South Carolina. LITTLE further alleged that GEORGE LINCOLN ROCKWELL and his American Nazi Party and KKK and ELIJAH MUHAMMAD were connected.

Regarding MALCOLM’s allegations concerning the meeting with officials of the KKK in Atlanta in 1960, attention is directed to report of SA [BUREAU DELETION] dated 4/14/61. Pages 44 and 45 carry information reflecting ELIJAH MUHAMMAD spoke at Magnolia Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia, on 9/11/60. Pages 96 and 97 set forth information regarding a meeting between MALCOLM LITTLE and [BUREAU DELETION] with KKK leaders at Atlanta in late [BUREAU DELETION] This is apparently the meeting LITTLE was referring to.

Regarding LITTLE’s allegations that MUHAMMAD is connected with the American Nazi Party, attention is directed to report of SA [BUREAU DELETION] dated 4/24/62. Pages 122 through 125 set forth information regarding an appearance by GEORGE LINCOLN ROCKWELL at the Annual Muslim Convention held at Chicago, Illinois, on 2/25/62, and also sets forth information regarding MUHAMMAD’s comments regarding ROCKWELL and his associates. Attention is also directed to report of SA [BUREAU DELETION] dated 10/24/62. Page 132 sets forth information regarding alleged cooperation between the American Nazi Party and the NOI.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

FEBRUARY 18, 1965
TELETYPE

SENT BY CODED TELETYPE

FBI NEW YORK

7-16 PM URGENT 2-18-65 DAE

TO DIRECTOR -10- 100-399321

FROM NEW YORK 105-8999

MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA IS-MMI.

RENYAIRTELS AND LHM-S DATED FEB. SIXTEEN, SIXTY FIVE CAPTIONED AS ABOVE AND OTHER CAPTIONED OAAU, IS-MISC.

AT NINE AM FEB. EIGHTEEN, SIXTY FIVE MALCOLM X OFFICIALLY EVICTED FROM HIS RESIDENCE TWENTY THREE-ELEVEN NINETY SEVENTH ST., EAST ELMHURST, QUEENS, NY, AT WHICH TIME REGINALD THORPE, MARSHAL OF CITY OF NEW YORK TURNED RESIDENCE OVER TO [BUREAU DELETION] NOI MOSQUE NUMBER SEVEN, NYC. MALCOLM X MOVED BELONGINGS FROM RESIDENCE AT ONE AM FEB. EIGHTEEN, SIXTY FIVE. [BUREAU DELETION] ADVISED FEB. EIGHTEEN, SIXTY FIVE MALCOLM X NOW RESIDING AT THIRTY FOUR-FIFTY ONE HUNDRED TENTH ST., EAST ELMHURST, QUEENS, NY WITH MMI MEMBER.

SND AND PLS HOLD............

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

FEBRUARY 22, 1965
TELETYPE

FBI PHILA

1-58 PM URGENT 2-22-65 RM

TO DIRECTOR /100-399321/ AND NEW YORK /105-8999/

NEW YORK VIA WASH

FROM PHILADELPHIA /100-39918/

MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA IS-MMI.

RE NEW YORK TELETYPE 2-21-65.

[BUREAU DELETION] THEY POSSESSED NO INFO ON KILLING OF SUBJECT OR ATTEMPT TO RETALIATE BY HIS FOLLOWERS. THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY ADVISE THIS OFFICE SHOULD THEY OBTAIN INFO CONCERNING ABOVE.

[BUREAU DELETION] WAS AT RALLY NEW YORK CITY WHEN MALCOLM X WAS KILLED. [BUREAU DELETION] BALLROOM BENJAMIN X WAS SPEAKING. MALCOLM WAS NOT IN SIGHT. ABOUT THREE PM MALCOLM APPEARED ON STAGE RIGHT AND WALKED TO LECTERN. BENJAMIN THEN LEFT STAGE. MALCOLM GAVE MUSLIM GREETING AND THEN SAID QUOTE BROTHERS AND SISTERS UNQUOTE. AT THIS POINT A NEGRO MALE, WEARING THREE QUARTER LENGTH BLACK LEATHER JACKET, PUSHED HIS CHAIR BACK STOOD UP AND ACCUSED NEGRO MALE SITTING ON HIS LEFT OF HAVING HIS HAND IN HIS POCKET. THE NEGRO MALE WHO STOOD UP WAS VERY DARK COMPLEXED [sic], SLENDER BUILD, ABOUT FIVE FEET TEN INCHES TALL, WEIGHT ONE HUNDRED SIXTY POUNDS, AGE IN LATE TWENTIES, LEAN FACE MEDIUM LENGTH STRAIGHT HAIR.

THIS MAN PUSHED HIS COAT BACK AND PRODUCED AN OBJECT WHICH LOOKED TO BE METALLIC AND RAISED HIS ARM. PEOPLE FROM THE AUDIENCE OF ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED PERSONS BEGAN JUMPING TO THEIR FEET. MALCOLM TOLD EVERYONE TO QUOTE TAKE IT EASY UNQUOTE. THE NEXT THING [BUREAU DELETION] RECALLS WAS THAT THEY HEARD ABOUT FOUR GUNSHOTS WHICH WERE RAPID, SOUNDING LIKE THEY CAME FROM A SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL. [BUREAU DELETION] THEN FELL TO THE FLOOR AND BELIEVED HE SAW BLOOD ON MALCOLMS FACE.

WHILE LYING ON THE FLOOR ABOUT FOUR MINUTES LATER [BUREAU DELETION] AT LEAST TEN OR ELEVEN MORE SHOTS WHICH SOUNDED LIKE THEY CAME FROM THE SAME TYPE GUN MENTIONED ABOVE AND FROM SAME LOCATION. WHILE STILL LYING ON THE FLOOR AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER LAST BURST OF GUNFIRE, [BUREAU DELETION] OBSERVED A MAN FROM THE WAIST DOWN PAST HIM, LOADING A GUN CLIP. [BUREAU DELETION] BELIEVED THIS CLIP TO BE SMALLER THAN A FORTY-FIVE CALIBER CLIP BUT COULD NOT BE MORE SPECIFIC. [BUREAU DELETION] DID NOT BELIEVE THIS MAN TO BE THE ONE WEARING THE BLACK LEATHER JACKET AS HIS HANDS APPEARED TO BE THAT OF A LIGHT NEGRO. THIS MAN WORE BROWN OR CORDOVAN COLORED SHOES WITH MEDIUM SIZE FEET. SOURCE COULD FURNISH NO FURTHER INFO AS SCENE WAS NOW IN UTTER CONFUSION.

[BUREAU DELETION] COULD FURNISH NO INFO CONCERNING ANY PLANS OF RETALIATION BY MALCOLM X FOLLOWERS. [BUREAU DELETION]

[BUREAU DELETION]

[BUREAU DELETION] WAS AT BALLROOM WHEN MALCOLM KILLED AND MAY POSSIBLY COME TO PHILA. [BUREAU DELETION]

[BUREAU DELETION] AND BUREAU AND NEW YORK WILL BE KEPT IMMEDIATELY ADVISED OF ANY PERTINENT DEVELOPMENTS.

SECRET LHM FOLLOWS.

WA FOR RELAY HOLD CORR

E

WA FOR RELAY LRA

FBI WASH DC AND RELAY

TU AND SI DISC 5

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

FEBRUARY 23, 1965
TELETYPE

SENT BY CODED TELETYPE

FBI NEW YORK

5-58 AM URGENT 2-22-65 RDB

TO DIRECTOR /100-399321/ -01- AND SACS, CHICAGO

AND PHILADELPHIA

FROM NEW YORK /105-8999/ 12 PAGES

MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA IS-MMI.

RE NEW YORK TELEPHONE CALLS TO AND FROM THE BUREAU AND TO CHICAGO, FEBRUARY TWENTY ONE AND TWENTY TWO, NINETEEN SIXTY FIVE.

[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM X WAS JUST SHOT AT THE AUDUBON BALLROOM, NEW YORK CITY, WHILE ADDRESSING AN ORGANIZATION OF AFRO DASH AMERICAN UNITY RALLY. AT THE TIME MALCOLM WAS SHOT AN EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE FROM THE SPEAKING PLATFORM WAS OBSERVED. REUBEN X FIRED SEVERAL SHOTS AT THE ASSASSINS. NYCPD CAPTURED ONE PERSON OUTSIDE OF AUDUBON BALLROOM WHO WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AS THOMAS HAGAN NEGRO MALE AGE TWENTY TWO. HAGAN HAD IN HIS POSSESSION AT THIS TIME A FORTY FIVE AUTOMATIC CLIP CONTAINING FOUR ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION. HAGAN WAS SHOT IN THE LEFT THIGH AND WAS ADMITTED TO JEWISH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT, AND AT FIVE THIRTY PM, FEBRUARY TWENTY ONE, NINETEEN SIXTY FIVE, WAS TRANSFERRED TO BELLEVUE HOSPITAL, NYC [BUREAU DELETION] WAS ADVISED THAT A SAWED OFF, DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN WAS FOUND ON THE STAGE OF THE BALLROOM WRAPPED IN A GREEN SUIT COAT, CONTAINING A KEY FOR YALE LOCK, PACK OF CAMEL CIGARETTES, EMPTY GLASS CASE BEARING OPTOMETRIST-S NAME, M.M. PINE, MAIN STREET, FLUSHING NY. SHOTGUN CONTAINED TWO DISCHARGED REMINGTON EXPRESS SHELLS, SINGLE O BUCKSHOT SHELLS AND INDICATIONS THAT GUN WAS RECENTLY USED. ALSO LOCATED IN THE HALL WERE THREE FORTY FIVE CALIBER SHELLS AND SLUGS, SIX NINE MILLIMETER SHELLS AND TWO SLUGS AND THREE THIRTY TWO CALIBER SLUGS AND TEN PIECES OF LEAD, PRESUMABLY FIRED FROM A SHOTGUN.

[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM WAS PRESENTED TO THE AUDIENCE AT APPROXIMATELY THREE TWO PM AND HAD MOVED TO A POSITION BEHIND THE PODIUM. AS HE ROSE FROM BEHIND THE PODIUM AND WALKED TO THE SPEAKER-S POSITION TO GREET THE AUDIENCE SOMEONE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HALL, APPROXIMATELY FOUR ROWS FROM THE FRONT, DESCRIBED AS A NEGRO MALE, YELLED QUOTE GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY POCKET UNQUOTE. AS THIS WAS DONE, MALCOLM-S BODY GUARDS MOVED IN THE DIRECTION OF THIS INDIVIDUAL AND ATTEMPTED TO SUBDUE HIM, WHEREUPON MALCOLM X SAID QUOTE HOLD IT UNQUOTE. [BUREAU DELETION] WALKING TOWARD THIS MAN IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCE [BUREAU DELETION] AS A RESULT OF MALCOLM-S COMMAND TO QUOTE HOLD IT UNQUOTE. WITHOUT HESITATION, TWO MEN, OCCUPYING FRONT SEATS, LEFT SIDE OF MIDDLE AISLE, APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN FEET FROM MALCOLM X GOT INTO A CROUCHED POSITION AND FIRED SEVERAL SHOTS IN THE DIRECTION OF MALCOLM X. THESE MEN WERE DRESSED IN DARK CLOTHES. STILL IN A CROUCHED POSITION THE GUNMEN HASTILY MOVED TOWARD THE EXIT AND SEEMED TO BE STILL FIRING. [BUREAU DELETION] REUBEN FRANCIS, MEMBER OF MALCOLM-S GROUP, HAD SHOT ONE OF THE QUOTE DECOYS UNQUOTE AND THAT ONE OF THE GUNMEN WAS CAUGHT BY SEVERAL OF THE MMI MEMBERS.

[BUREAU DELETION]

[BUREAU DELETION] IN ADDITION TO MALCOLM AND HAGAN, THE SUSPECT, BEING SHOT, TWO PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WERE STRUCK BY FLYING BULLETS. ONE [BUREAU DELETION] A MEMBER OF MALCOLM-S ORGANIZATION, WAS SHOT IN THE RIGHT SIDE AND [BUREAU DELETION] WAS WOUNDED IN THE LEFT FOOT. BOTH WERE TAKEN TO COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL AND THEIR CONDITIONS ARE CONSIDERED GOOD. POLICE CONSIDER BOTH [BUREAU DELETION] AND [BUREAU DELETION] TO BE MERELY ONLOOKERS AND NOT TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING. AUTOPSY ON MALCOLM X REFLECTED THAT HE HAD TEN BULLET WOUNDS IN HIS CHEST, THIGH AND ANKLE, PLUS FOUR BULLET CREASES IN THE CHEST AND THIGH. THIS AUTOPSY LOCATED ONE NINE MILLIMETER SLUG, ONE FORTY FIVE CALIBER SLUG AND SEVERAL SHOTGUN PELLETS IN HIS BODY. THE POLICE HAVE CHARGED HAGAN WITH HOMICIDE ON MALCOLM X AND HAVE CHARGED REUBEN X FRANCIS WITH FELONIOUS ASSAULT AND POSSESSION OF A DEADLY WEAPON. THE POLICE SAY THAT IN VIEW OF THE NATURE OF HAGAN-S INJURY HE BE HOSPITALIZED FOR UP TO SIX WEEKS. [BUREAU DELETION] HAVE A WITNESS WHO HAS IDENTIFIED FRANCIS AS FIRING BACK AT ASSAILANTS OF MALCOLM X. FRANCIS IS PRESUMED TO HAVE FIRED SHOT WHICH STRUCK HAGAN. POLICE ALSO SUSPECT FRANCIS SHOT THE THIRTY TWO CALIBER REVOLVER USED IN THESE SHOOTINGS, THOUGH THE GUN HAS NOT BEEN LOCATED. [BUREAU DELETION] NOW ESTIMATE THAT THE NUMBER OF MALCOLM-S ASSAILANTS NUMBER FROM TWO TO FOUR INCLUDING THE CAPTURED HAGAN. FBI IDENTIFICATION DIVISION IDENTIFIED FINGERPRINTS OF HAGAN AS IDENTICAL TO TALMADGE HAYER, ALSO KNOWN AS THOMAS HAYER, FBI NUMBER ONE FOUR TWO FOUR NINE SIX F, NEGRO MALE, BORN MARCH SIXTEEN, NINETEEN FORTY TWO AT HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY, RESIDES THREE FOUR SEVEN MARSHALL STREET, PATTERSON, NEW JERSEY, [BUREAU DELETION].

[BUREAU DELETION] NYO AND NEWARK INDICIES NEGATIVE ON HAYER. DESCRIPTION OF ONLY ONE OTHER ASSAILANT HAS BEEN DETERMINED. HE IS A NEGRO MALE, AGE TWENTY EIGHT, SIX FEET TWO INCHES, TWO HUNDRED POUNDS, HEAVY BUILD, DARK COMPLEXION, WEARING GRAY COAT AND BELIEVED TO BE ASSAILANT WHO USED SHOTGUN. HAGAN HAS REFUSED TO FURNISH ANY INFORMATION OTHER THAN HIS NAME AND AGE, WHICH IS TWENTY TWO YEARS. NYO INDICIES ON HAGAN NEGATIVE.

[BUREAU DELETION] SELF-ADMITTED OAAU MEMBER, [BUREAU DELETION]TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED NYO AND ADVISED HE HAS ONE OF THE GUNS USED TO KILL MALCOLM X. CONTACTED BY BUREAU AGENTS, [BUREAU DELETION] TURNED OVER TO THEM A UNITED STATES ARMY COLT FORTY FIVE, MODEL ONE NINE ONE ONE, SERIAL NUMBER THREE THREE FIVE ZERO FIVE FIVE, WITH CLIP CONTAINING THREE ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION. DURING INTERVIEW, [BUREAU DELETION] HE WITNESSED THE SHOOTING FROM THE REAR OF THE AUDUBON BALLROOM AND BELIEVED FOUR TO FIVE NEGRO MALES PARTICIPATED IN THE SHOOTING. [BUREAU DELETION] STATED THAT TWO MEN PASSED HIM WHEN LEAVING THE BALLROOM. TWO OTHERS WERE RUNNING OUT OF THE BALLROOM, ONE TURNED TO RETURN THE FIRE AT MALCOLM-S MEN. AS THIS MAN TURNED TO RUN OUT THE DOOR, HE [BUREAU DELETION] THREW A BODY BLOCK AT HIM, AND THIS PERSON FELL ON THE STEPS DROPPING THE GUN. THE LAST MAN RUNNING OUT OF THE BUILDING JUMPED OVER THE PERSON HE STRUCK AND WAS APPARENTLY ARRESTED WHEN HE LEFT THE BUILDING. THE PERSON WHO WAS STRUCK DOWN FELL DOWN THE STAIRS, SCRAMBLED TO HIS FEET, AND BEGAN RUNNING OUT OF THE BUILDING. [BUREAU DELETION] STATED HE PICKED UP THE GUN AND TRIED TO SHOOT HIM BUT THE GUN JAMMED. ABOUT THIS TIME, SOME OF MALCOLM-S MEN PUSHED HIM BACK INSIDE THE BUILDING WHERE HE THEN PUT THE GUN IN HIS POCKET AND WAITED UNTIL MALCOLM WAS TAKEN AWAY, AND LEFT THE BALLROOM. [BUREAU DELETION] THE MAN WITH THE GUN AS BEING MALE NEGRO, AGE TWENTY, FIVE FEET SEVEN INCHES, MEDIUM BUILD, SHORT BLACK HAIR, BROWN SKIN, WEARING A DARK BROWN, DIRTY SUEDE JACKET. THE LAST MAN LEAVING THE BUILDING WAS DESCRIBED AS MALE, NEGRO, THIRTY YEARS OF AGE, SIX FEET TALL, ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY POUNDS, SHORT BLACK HAIR, MAY HAVE HAD A SMALL MUSTACHE, WORE DARK TROUSERS, MEDIUM GRAY TOP COAT AND NO HAT.

[BUREAU DELETION] CAME TO THE NYO AND PICKED UP THE FORTY FIVE CALIBER GUN MADE AVAILABLE BY [BUREAU DELETION] AND WERE ADVISED THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO GAVE AGENTS THIS GUN DESIRED HIS IDENTITY BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AT THIS TIME, AND THAT THE FBI WOULD ATTEMPT TO PREVAIL UPON THIS SOURCE TO COOPERATE AND IDENTIFY HIMSELF TO THE POLICE. [BUREAU DELETION] ADVISED THAT HE DID NOT DESIRE THAT WE ATTEMPT TO APPROACH [BUREAU DELETION] AT THIS TIME AND PREFERRED THAT WE WAIT UNTIL THE FBI IS CONTACTED BY HIM AT A LATER DATE AS AN APPROACH AT THIS TIME MAY FRIGHTEN THIS POTENTIAL WITNESS, CAUSING HIM TO LEAVE THE NY AREA. NY WILL NOT RECONTACT [BUREAU DELETION] AT THIS TIME PURSUANT TO [BUREAU DELETION] REQUEST.

POLICE INDICATE THEY HAVE THE FOLLOWING WITNESSES TO THIS SHOOTING. [BUREAU DELETION] MALE, AGE SIXTY NINE.

[BUREAU DELETION] CITY DESK, ASSOCIATED PRESS, FIFTY ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, NYC, ADVISED FEBRUARY TWENTY ONE, SIXTY FIVE, THAT ONE OF THEIR SOURCES WHOSE RELIABILITY IS UNKNOWN BY THIS OFFICE, HAD STATED THAT SOME MEN, INCLUDING [BUREAU DELETION] /KNOWN OAAU MEMBERS IN NYC/, WERE GOING TO CHICAGO EITHER BY PLANE OR CAR FOR THE PURPOSE OF KILLING ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, NOI NATIONAL LEADER. AP SOURCE ALSO ADVISED THAT PLANS HAVE BEEN MADE TO KILL [BUREAU DELETION] AND MARTIN LUTHER KING. AP SOURCE INDICATED THAT KING WAS TO HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN THE STATUE OF LIBERTY WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. HE ALSO STATED THAT MALCOLM X WAS NOT DUE TO BE ASSASSINATED UNTIL TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY /FEBRUARY TWENTY ONE SIXTY FIVE/ BUT THAT THE SCHEDULE HAD BEEN MOVED AHEAD.

IT IS TO BE NOTED IN REFERENCE TO [BUREAU DELETION] THAT [BUREAU DELETION] IS DESCRIBED AS NEGRO, MALE, AMERICAN, LATE TWENTIES, FIVE FOOT NINE INCHES, ONE SEVENTY FIVE POUNDS, MEDIUM BUILD, BROWN EYES, BLACK HAIR, SMALL MUSTACHE, SMALL BEARD, VERY PRONOUNCED HOOK NOSE, COFFEE BEAN COMPLEXION, VERY NERVOUS, EXCITABLE MANNER. WEARS PAKISTANIAN TYPE GINNAHA CAP. [BUREAU DELETION] WAS DESCRIBED BY [BUREAU DELETION] AS FOLLOWS . . . NEGRO, MALE, AMERICAN, THIRTY ONE YEARS OF AGE, SIX FEET TWO OR THREE INCHES TALL ONE SEVENTY FIVE TO ONE EIGHTY POUNDS, WELL KNIT BUILD, SHAVED HEAD, THIN MUSTACHE, VERY DARK COMPLEXION, DARK EYES, FALSE TEETH IN FRONT OF MOUTH, WEARS GINNAHA TYPE CAP AND A BLACK COAT.

[BUREAU DELETION] OVERHEARD [BUREAU DELETION] REPORTER “LIFE” MAGAZINE, IN CONVERSATION WITH A [BUREAU DELETION] WASHINGTON, D.C., APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN THIRTY PM FEBRUARY TWENTY ONE SIXTY FIVE DURING WHICH CONVERSATION [BUREAU DELETION] STATED THAT THE KILLERS OF MALCOLM X WERE POSSIBLY IMPORTED TO NYC. [BUREAU DELETION] BELIEVED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS BY [BUREAU DELETION] TO BE ACCURATE, THAT [BUREAU DELETION] ADVISED [BUREAU DELETION] TO CHECK OUT WASHINGTON AND CIA BECAUSE THEY WANTED MALCOLM OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE HE “SNAFUED” AFRICAN RELATIONS FOR THE U.S. [BUREAU DELETION] ALSO OVERHEARD [BUREAU DELETION] CALL [BUREAU DELETION] IN CHICAGO AT TELEPHONE AB FOUR EIGHT SIX TWO THREE DURING WHICH CONVERSATION [BUREAU DELETION] ADVISED [BUREAU DELETION] THAT TWO OF MALCOLM-S MEN WERE THEN IN CHICAGO HAVING FLOWN THERE TO HIT EITHER ELIJAH OR THE UNIVERSITY /PRESUMABLY UNIVERSITY OF ISLAM./ [BUREAU DELETION] TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY WHEN BULLETS START FLYING.

[BUREAU DELETION] FEBRUARY TWENTY ONE SIXTY FIVE AT ELEVEN PM THAT THE [BUREAU DELETION] HAD CONTACTED THEM TO ADVISE THAT THEY HAD PICKED UP ONE [BUREAU DELETION] / BELIEVED TO BE A MMI MEMBER IN PHILADELPHIA/ WHO CAME TO ST. LUKE-S HOSPITAL IN PHILADELPHIA WITH A BROKEN ARM AND ADMITTED BEING AT THE AUDUBON BALLROOM WHEN THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE INVOLVING MALCOLM LITTLE. NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE FURNISHED AT THIS TIME IN THIS REGARD [BUREAU DELETION] THIS BEING SUBMITTED FOR PHILADELPHIA-S INFORMATION.

BUREAU WILL BE KEPT ADVISED.

AM COPIES BEING FORWARDED TO BOSTON, CLEVELAND, LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO, NEWARK AND WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN PERTAINING TO CHICAGO HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY FURNISHED TO THEM BY TELEPHONE.

END

OMS FBI WASH DC

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

FEBRUARY 23, 1965
TELETYPE

FBI WASH DC 0724

2-40 AM DEFERRED 2-23-65 RM

TO DIRECTOR 7100-399321/ AND NEW YORK /105-8999/

FROM PHILADELPHIA /100-39918/

MALCOLM K. LITTLE, IS-MMI.

REPHTEL 2-22-65.

[BUREAU DELETION] AT RALLY NYC WHEN MALCOLM X WAS KILLED. [BUREAU DELETION] ARRIVED AT BALLROOM ABOUT TWO FORTY FIVE PM, 2-21-65 WITH [BUREAU DELETION]. BENJAMIN X WAS SPEAKING AND WAS ALONE ON STAGE. ABOUT THREE PM, MALCOLM APPEARED ON STAGE RIGHT AND WALKED TO PODIUM. BENJAMIN X LEFT STAGE TO RIGHT WING THROUGH DOOR MALCOLM HAD JUST ENTERED.

MALCOLM AT PODIUM SAID SOMETHING LIKE QUOTE GOOD AFTERNOON BROTHERS AND SISTERS UNQUOTE. AT THIS TIME A NEGRO MALE, WEARING SUIT COAT LENGTH BLACK LEATHER COAT STOOD UP AND LOUDLY TOLD NEGRO MALE ON HIS LEFT QUOTE GET YOUR HAND OUT OF MY POCKET UNQUOTE, MAN STANDING UP WORE KHAKI PANTS, WHITE SHIRT OPEN AT COLLAR. HE WAS ABOUT FIVE FEET ELEVEN INCHES TALL, WEIGHT ONE SIX FIVE LBS., SLENDER BUILD, AGE ABOUT TWENTY NINE, SLIGHT BEARD AND MUSTACHE TRIMMED IN CIRCLE AROUND MOUTH, LOOKED LIKE AFRICAN WITH SHORT CUT WOOLLY HAIR, MEDIUM DARK COMPLEXION.

MALCOLM THEN STEPPED TO RIGHT OF PODIUM PAREN MALCOLM/S LEFT END PAREN AND SAID QUOTE WE WILL HAVE NONE OF THAT UNQUOTE. THE MAN STANDING PUT HIS LEFT HAND IN LEFT POCKET OF JACKET AND REMOVED SOMETHING. HE EXTENDED HIS ARM TOWARD MALCOLM. MALCOLM SAID EXCITEDLY DON/T DO IT UNQUOTE AND STEPPED FARTHER TO HIS LEFT. [BUREAU DELETION] HEARD FOUR OR FIVE RAPID SHOTS AND SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE GUN FLASHES FROM STANDING MAN/S EXTENDED LEFT ARM. RED STAINS APPEARED ON MALCOLM/S SHIRT FRONT. MALCOLM SLUMPED AND FELL TO FLOOR.

[BUREAU DELETION]

STANDING MAN THEN RAN TO LEFT AISLE AND WAS LAST SEEN TURNING INTO MIDDLE EXIT. [BUREAU DELETION] WAS THEN PULLED TO FLOOR [BUREAU DELETION] AND SAW NO MORE.

[BUREAU DELETION] WHEN SHOOTING STARTED PEOPLE IN AUDIENCE BEGAN FALLING TO FLOOR YELLING AND SCREAMING.

SECONDS AFTER [BUREAU DELETION] PULLED TO FLOOR A QUOTE LOT MORE UNQUOTE SHOTS WERE HEARD. THEY SOUNDED LIKE PEOPLE WERE SHOOTING AT EACH OTHER FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF ROOM.

[BUREAU DELETION] DID NOT GET GOOD LOOK AT MAN ON LEFT WHO WAS ACCUSED OF PUTTING HAND IN STANDING MAN/S POCKET BUT BELIEVES HE MAY BE IDENTICAL WITH THOMAS HAGAN WHOSE PICTURE [BUREAU DELETION] IN AP WIRE-PHOTO 2-22-65. [BUREAU DELETION] BELIEVED HE WORE A DARK SUIT AND WHITE SHIRT.

[BUREAU DELETION] BEFORE MALCOLM CAME ON STAGE A MAN WHO [BUREAU DELETION] SHOT MALCOLM APPEARED TO BE ACQUAINTED WITH MAN ON HIS LEFT AND MAN ON HIS RIGHT AS THE THREE WERE ENGAGED IN CONVERSATION. THE MAN ON RIGHT WAS A LIGHT COLORED NEGRO, HAD CLOSE CUT HAIR, AND WORE BEIGE OR LIGHT BROWN SILK LOOKING SUIT. [BUREAU DELETION] NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THESE MEN, AND NO ADDITIONAL INFO CONCERNING THEM.

[BUREAU DELETION] ADVISED THERE WERE AISLES ON EACH SIDE OF BALLROOM, BUT NO CENTER AISLE. [BUREAU DELETION] SAT ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE SIXTH ROW. THE THREE ABOVE MENTIONED MEN SAT RIGHT OF CENTER IN THE THIRD ROW.

[BUREAU DELETION] NO INFO CONCERNING ANY PLANS OF RETALIATION BY MALCOLM/S FOLLOWERS.

[BUREAU DELETION]

ANY ADDITIONAL INFO DEVELOPED [BUREAU DELETION] WILL IMMEDIATELY BE FURNISHED THE BUREAU AND NEW YORK.

SECRET LHM FOLLOWS.

WA F OR RELAY LRA

FBI WASH DC 0724

TU DISC

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date February 24, 1965

[BUREAU DELETION]

[BUREAU DELETION] was at the rally in New York City on February 21, 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom, where MALCOLM X was killed. This meeting was sponsored by the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).

[BUREAU DELETION] arrived at the ballroom BENJAMIN X was speaking. MALCOLM X was not in sight. About 3 P.M. MALCOLM X appeared on stage right and walked to the podium. BENJAMIN X then left the stage.

MALCOLM X gave the Muslim greeting, “As Salaam Alaikem,” and then said “Brothers and Sisters.” At this time a Negro male, wearing a three-quarter length black leather coat, pushed his chair back, stood up, and said to the Negro male sitting on his left “Get your hand out of my pocket.”

The Negro male who stood up was very dark complected, slender build, about 5’10” tallj weighing 160 pounds, age in the late twenties, lean face, with medium length straight hair.

This man then pushed his coat back and produced an object which looked to be metallic and raised his arm. At this point, people from the audience, which consisted of about four hundred individuals, began jumping to their feet. MALCOLM X told everyone to “take it easy.”

The next thing [BUREAU DELETION] was that [BUREAU DELETION] heard about four gunshots, which were fired in rapid order, and which sounded like they came from a semiautomatic pistol.

[BUREAU DELETION] then fell to the floor and [BUREAU DELETION] believed [BUREAU DELETION] blood on MALCOLM X’s face. While lying on the floor about five minutes later [BUREAU DELETION] heard at least ten or eleven more gunshots, which sounded like they came from the same type gun mentioned above and from the same location.

While still lying on the floor and immediately after the last burst of gunfire, [BUREAU DELETION] a man from the waist down walk [BUREAU DELETION] loading a gun clip [BUREAU DELETION] believed this clip to be smaller than a .45 caliber clip but could not be more specific. [BUREAU DELETION] did not believe this man to be the one wearing the black leather jacket, as his hands appeared to be those of a lightskinned Negro.

This man wore brown or Cordovan-colored shoes and had medium-sized feet. [BUREAU DELETION] he could furnish no further information regarding the murder of MALCOLM X, as the scene was, by this time, “utter confusion.”

[BUREAU DELETION] possessed no information concerning any plans of retaliation by the followers of MALCOLM X or any other individuals.

[BUREAU DELETION] did not know who shot MALCOLM nor did he see any firearms. [BUREAU DELETION] it appeared to him there was a definite lack of security at this rally. In addition, [BUREAU DELETION] there did not appear to be enough guards in the front of the hall nor any guards near the exits.

[BUREAU DELETION] the Audubon Ballroom is rectangular shaped, with exits at the left center side and left rear side. He said that chairs were set up in rows for the audience to sit in, with aisles on either side and an aisle down the middle. [BUREAU DELETION] the podium behind which MALCOLM X stood was directly in front of the center aisle.

[BUREAU DELETION] The man who stood up, mentioned above, sat about in the middle of the left row of chairs, about three rows [BUREAU DELETION] and about four rows from the front row of chairs.

[BUREAU DELETION] that MALCOLM X was the leader of the OAAU and Muslim Mosque, Inc., (MMI).

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

MEMORANDUM

TO	:	Mr. W. C. Sullivan	Date: February 22, 1965
FROM	:	Mr. F. J. Baumgardner
SUBJECT	:	MALCOLM K. LITTLE, also known as Malcolm X INTERNAL SECURITY— MMI

Malcolm K. Little, leader of the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated (MMI), and the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), was shot and killed on the afternoon of February 21, 1965, at approximately 3:10 P.M. while speaking at a meeting of the OAAU being held in the Audubon Ballroom, 166th Street and Broadway, New York City. The New York Office was immediately advised of the incident [BUREAU DELETION] who was present at the meeting.

[BUREAU DELETION] was [BUREAU DELETION] at the back of the hall when someone in the audience called out indicating that his pocket had been picked. [BUREAU DELETION] observed two men standing near the front of the hall in about the third or fourth row, apparently firing some sort of weapons. He also recalls seeing two other men standing at the time, one several feet behind the first two, and the other several feet to the side. He presumed that they were also involved in the shooting. [BUREAU DELETION] two shots and saw Malcolm X fall backward to the floor. He then heard a volley of shots, probably twenty. [BUREAU DELETION] believes the assailants were also shooting at Malcolm’s guards. At this point, [BUREAU DELETION] ran to the foyer of the hall and [BUREAU DELETION] which commanded a view of the entrance to the hall. He observed a man, later identified as John Hagen, running down the aisle crouching and weaving with a .45 caliber pistol in his hand. [BUREAU DELETION] one of Malcolm’s followers who was behind the man, fired three shots, one of which evidently hit Hagen. [BUREAU DELETION] learned that Hagen was caught outside by Malcolm’s followers.

[BUREAU DELETION] that one John Hagen, Negro male, age 22, was arrested when leaving the Audubon Ballroom by an officer stationed outside. During the arrest, a warning shot was fired in the air. A .45 caliber clip with four bullets was found in Hagen’s pocket and it was discovered he was wounded in the left thigh. He is presently in Jewish Memorial Hospital under police detention. Hagen subsequently identified by Identification Division through fingerprints, submitted by New York Police Department, as Talmadge Hayer, also known as Thomas Hayer, FBI Number 142496F, a Negro, born March 16, 1942, Hackensack, New Jersey. [BUREAU DELETION] Bureau files contain no other information identifiable with this individual.

An anonymous call was received by the New York Office. The caller indicated he had found a gun used in the shooting and would furnish the gun to Bureau Agents, but would not give it to the police. Upon arriving at the meeting place designated by the caller, the Agents [BUREAU DELETION] as the caller. [BUREAU DELETION] turned over a .45 caliber automatic, Model 1911, U. S. Army Serial Number 335055. [BUREAU DELETION] said he was at the meeting in back of the hall when he observed four or five men, all Negroes, standing approximately nine rows back from the stage firing weapons toward the stage. After firing, the men ran past him and as the third man passed, [BUREAU DELETION] knocking the .45 caliber automatic to the ground. [BUREAU DELETION] picked the gun up, attempting to fire the weapon at the man; however, the gun jammed. [BUREAU DELETION] said there were three rounds left in the chamber. He stated he could possibly identify the fourth man, but not the man that dropped the gun. The weapon was turned over to the New York Police Department. [BUREAU DELETION] would not indicate whether he intended to make his identity known to the New York police.

[BUREAU DELETION] has recovered a 12 gauge sawed-off shotgun, Model 1017, J. C. Higgins, from the hall where the shooting occurred. The police believe the shotgun, which was recently fired and contained #0 buckshot shells, was used in the shooting. In addition to the shotgun, the [BUREAU DELETION] believe two other guns were used, a .45 caliber automatic and a .9 millimeter automatic.

[BUREAU DELETION] Negro male, [BUREAU DELETION] was shot in the left foot and is presently confined in the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Other witnesses being questioned by the police are [BUREAU DELETION].

ACTION BEING TAKEN:

The New York Office was instructed to alert [BUREAU DELETION] the Nation of Islam (NOI) and MMI as well as [BUREAU DELETION] to report any information indicating there might be retaliatory riots and information indicating the involvement of any organization. New York Office was instructed to not furnish the New York Police Department with any information developed without prior Bureau clearance. New York Office has alerted pertinent offices where MMI and NOI are active, to alert their sources for any information bearing on the situation. Information concerning the assassination of Little was telephonically furnished to the Duty Officer, [BUREAU DELETION] Secret Service. Pertinent information was also furnished to Acting Assistant Attorney General John Doar of the Civil Rights Division, and Assistant Attorney General J. Walter Yeagley of the Interna] Security Division, and to Mr. DeLoach’s office.

You will be kept advised of pertinent developments.

Up to now, this appears to be a murder case, basically a problem of the New York Police Department, and the FBI should not become involved. We are maintaining contact with the New York Police Department for any information of Bureau interest. As indicated above, [BUREAU DELETION].

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

MEMORANDUM

TO	:	Mr. W. C. Sullivan	DATE: February 22, 1965
FROM	:	Mr. J. F. Bland
SUBJECT	:	MALCOLM K. LITTLE INTERNAL SECURITY— MMI

At 1:45 A.M., February 22, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] New York Office, telephonically furnished the following additional information which had been received from the [BUREAU DELETION]:

The autopsy of subject’s body was concluded and there was found: one .45 caliber slug, one nine millimeter slug from an automatic, and several pellets from a shotgun. There were ten holes in the body; seven of which were in the left chest (probably from shotgun blast), two in left thigh and one in left ankle. There were also four creases, three of which were across the chest and one on right knee of Little.

In addition to the above, [BUREAU DELETION] stated that the police found the following items from a search of the Audubon Ballroom where Little was killed:

1. One “sawed-off” two-barrel shotgun with two “expended” shells in the chambers. The shells (which had been discharged) were 12 gauge Remington Express, Single 0 buckshot. The shotgun was found wrapped in a jacket. A search of the jacket by the New York City Police Department revealed one Yale key, some cigarettes, and an empty case for eyeglasses. On top of the case was the following: M. M. Pine, Optometrist, 3901 Main Street, Flushing, New York.

2. Ten pieces of lead, presumably from shotgun.

3. Two, nine millimeter slugs from the nine millimeter automatic weapon.

4. Three .45 caliber slugs from .45 automatic.

5. Three .32 caliber slugs from revolver.

6. Six, nine millimeter shell casings.

7. Three .45 caliber Western shell casings.

SA [BUREAU DELETION] stated he had learned from the police that Thomas Hagan (later identified as Talmadge Hayer) would be charged with homicide in the death of Malcolm Little.

ACTION:

For information. This is being followed closely, and you will be kept advised.

DECODED COPY

______AIRGRAM ______CABLEGRAM ______RADIO xx TELETYPE

12.12 PM CST URGENT 2-22-65 PAK

TO DIRECTOR AND NEW YORK

NEW YORK VIA WASHINGTON-ENCODED

FROM CHICAGO 221641

MALCOLM LITTLE, IS-MMI

[BUREAU DELETION] ADVISED FEBRUARY 21 LAST ELIJAH MUHAMMAD’S REPRESENTATIVES ALERTED THAT FOLLOWERS OF LITTLE MAY COME CHICAGO TO ATTACK HIM AND HIS TEMPLE. MUHAMMAD DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF ASSASSINATION, COMMENTING HE WAS AWARE LITTLE FOLLOWERS MAY COME TO CHICAGO. MUHAMMAD SAID HE WAS NOT AFRAID, ADDING “THEY KILLED THEIR OWN MAN, RIGHT IN HIS OWN PLACE. HE WASN’T EVEN THERE.”

[BUREAU DELETION] REPORTS CASSIUS CLAY’S APARTMENT IN CHICAGO GUTTED BY FIRE-POSSIBLY ARSON. LATER PD REPORT REFLECTS [BUREAU DELETION] RESIDING IN APARTMENT BELOW CLAY’S, IN CUSTODY AND HAD SET FIRE UNINTENTIONALLY WHILE DRUNK. CLAY NOT HOME AT TIME OF FIRE. NEWS MEDIA, CHICAGO, GAVE EXTENSIVE COVERAGE THIS FIRE.

[BUREAU DELETION] AND G-2 FURNISHED INFO RE POSSIBILITY SIX FOLLOWERS OF LITTLE COMING CHICAGO AND PD FURNISHED NAMES AND DESCRIPTION [BUREAU DELETION] AND [BUREAU DELETION] SECRET SERVICE BEING ADVISED. RECEIVED: 1:22 PM JLD

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

MEMORANDUM

TO	:	Mr. W. C. Sullivan	DATE: February 22, 1965
FROM	:	Mr. J. F. Bland
SUBJECT	:	MALCOLM K. LITTLE, also known as Malcolm X INTERNAL SECURITY— MMI

[BUREAU DELETION] who witnessed the killing of Malcolm X on 2/21/65, advised the New York Office on the night of 2/21/65 that he had been given an [BUREAU DELETION] eyewitness account of the incident.

Upon discussing this assignment with [BUREAU DELETION] on the night of [BUREAU DELETION] also told him he expected something to happen to Nation of Islam (NOl) Temple No. 7, 102 W. 116th Street, New York City, and the nearby NOI Shabazz Restaurant before 3 A.M., 2/22/65, and requested [BUREAU DELETION] to cover the situation. [BUREAU DELETION] did not disclose the basis for his belief and possibly it was only conjecture on his part, based on his knowledge of the violent feud existing between the NOI and Malcolm’s group, the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated (MMI).

[BUREAU DELETION] also advised that [BUREAU DELETION] called one [BUREAU DELETION] in Chicago, Illinois, at about 11:30 P.M., 2/21/65, and told him that two of Malcolm’s men flew out of New York for Chicago and should then be in Chicago. He said they will “hit” either Elijah Muhammad (NOI leader) or the University of Islam (NOI school in Chicago). Again [BUREAU DELETION] did not indicate the source of his information.

This is one of numerous reports received that Malcolm’s followers may attempt to kill Elijah Muhammad to avenge the death of Malcolm X. The Chicago office reported on 2/21/65 that [BUREAU DELETION] had advised that the [BUREAU DELETION] a Chicago NOI member, had received a long-distance telephone call from one [BUREAU DELETION] informing her that six of Malcolm’s followers were proceeding to Chicago to take the life of the Messenger (Elijah Muhammad). [BUREAU DELETION] also advised that one [BUREAU DELETION] (not further identified) had informed one [BUREAU DELETION] that cars were loading up with unknown individuals who were going to the “Temple” (presumably the Chicago NOI Temple) to blow it up. [BUREAU DELETION] was appropriately advised of these reports.

The New York Office advised that [BUREAU DELETION] City Desk, Associated Press, stated one of their sources, whose reliability is unknown, had stated two Negroes, [BUREAU DELETION] were going to Chicago to “get” Elijah Muhammad. The Chicago Office has furnished this information to the [BUREAU DELETION] said someone was to kill James 67 X Warden, Executive Secretary of the MMI, and Martin Luther King. The threatened action against King was not further explained. Shanahan had furnished the same information to the [BUREAU DELETION] Department.

Threat against King has been furnished to the Atlanta Office with instructions to furnish to [BUREAU DELETION]. Bureau files are being checked on [BUREAU DELETION].

ACTION:

You will be kept advised of pertinent developments.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

MEMORANDUM

TO	:	Mr. W. C. Sullivan	DATE: February 22, 1965
FROM	:	Mr. J. F. Bland
SUBJECT	:	MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA, MALCOLM X IS-MMI

At 12:10 A.M. the Chicago Office advised that the information received by the [BUREAU DELETION] that two Negroes, [BUREAU DELETION] are on their way to Chicago to do harm to Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), a black nationalist group, has been furnished to the [BUREAU DELETION]. The NOI has been at violent odds with Malcolm Little’s group, The Muslim Mosque, Inc. (MMI).

The [BUREAU DELETION] is on the lookout for the arrival of these two individuals and any other suspicious persons who may seek to avenge the murder of Malcolm K. Little by injuring or killing Elijah Muhammad. The Chicago residence of Elijah, the Chicago NOI temple and the University of Islam, the NOI school in Chicago, are being covered by the [BUREAU DELETION].

Information has been received by the Chicago Office from [BUREAU DELETION] that Elijah is aware of the danger to his life and he so indicated this during a call he received from [BUREAU DELETION] Phoenix, Arizona. [BUREAU DELETION] told Elijah that he had been contacted by the Phoenix Police Department and informed that it had been requested by the New York City Police Department to afford Elijah protection in the event he returns to Phoenix where he also maintains a residence. Elijah’s only comment was to tell [BUREAU DELETION] to express his appreciation to the Phoenix Police Department. He did not indicate when he plans to go to Phoenix. Elijah also stated that the press has been after him for a statement on Malcolm Little’s death but he intends to make no comment until he learns the truth of what went on.

The Chicago Office is closely following this matter and has instructed [BUREAU DELETION] to immediately furnish any information they receive concerning the killing of Little and possible reprisals by his followers against Elijah or other NOI members.

ACTION:

You will be kept advised of pertinent developments.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

FEBRUARY 24, 1965
TELETYPE

SENT BY CODED TELETYPE

FBI NEW YORK

006//// 1006 AM URGENT 2-24-65 IRR

TO DIRECTOR /4/

FROM NEW YORK /105-8999/

MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA, MALCOLM X, IS DASH

MMI.

NEWS MEDIA THIS MORNING CARRYING COMMENTS REPORTEDLY MADE YESTERDAY BY JAMES FARMER, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE CONGRESS OF RACIAL EQUALITY /CORE/, THAT FARMER BELIEVES “KILLING OF MALCOLM X WAS A POLITICAL ACT, WITH INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS.” FOR INFORMATION OF BUREAU, NEW YORK OFFICE NOT IN POSSESSION OF ANY INFORMATION WHICH WOULD CORROBORATE OR SUBSTANTIATE THIS THEORY OF JAMES FARMER. [BUREAU DELETION] BEING PARTICULARLY ALERTED TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT TO THIS OFFICE ANY INFORMATION WHICH WOULD TEND TO SUPPORT THIS THEORY. RECOMMEND BUREAU CONSIDER INTERVIEWING FARMER, THROUGH ESTABLISHED BUREAU LIAISON WITH HIM, TO DETERMINE WHETHER HE HAS ANY SPECIFICS IN SUPPORT OF HIS BELIEF.

END

HOLD FOR SECOND MSG

SAC, New York (105-8999) Director, FBI (100-399321) MALCOLM K. LITTLE INTERNAL SECURITY—MMI

2/25/65

In view of the subject’s death, his name is being removed from the Security Index at the Bureau and you should handle accordingly in your office.

Submit an appropriate memorandum noting his death, for dissemination at the Bureau.

ATTENTION [BUREAU DELETION]

Cancel SI cards.