Malcolm X (48 page)

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.

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

______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

MEMORANDUM

[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].

You will be kept advised of pertinent developments.

MEMORANDUM

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.

You will be kept advised of pertinent developments.

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

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.