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REPORTS: |
1. February 25, 1965, 9:30 P.M. Philadelphia to Director, Chicago, Newark, New York Office. Teletype 2. February 25, 1965. New York Office to 3. February 26, 1965. New York Office to 4. February 27, 1965. New York Office to 5. February 25, 1965. Memo. DeLoach to Mohr 6. February 27, 1965. Chicago 7. February 28, 1965. New York 8. March 8, 1965. Boston 9. March 12, 1965. New York |
The reports from Section 16 both repeat information and elaborate on certain elements of the assassination. On February 26, Norman 3X Butler was arrested for the shooting after three witnesses placed him at the scene. One witness could not identify the third suspect, Thomas 15X Johnson, but identified Butler as the man who said “Get your hands out of my pocket.” It should be noted that Hayer was earlier reported to have made this comment. On March 8, a witness placed all three suspects at the scene and stated that Johnson had run out of the side exit after the shooting.
More reports implicate the MMI in the shooting. The FBI noted that all the witnesses to the shooting “seem to have the same ‘clear cut’ story that they were in the ballroom when Maicolm X was shot and when the shots rang out they fell to the floor and never got a look at the assassins.” Also, an informant indicated that one of Malcolm’s bodyguards had been seen in Harlem with expensive clothing and $100 bills soon after the shooting, although the man had “no visible means of support at this time.”
Also included in the section is a report of Elijah Muhammad’s denial of taking any part in the assassination, and reports of Malcolm’s funeral, attended by several black celebrities and political figures, including Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, James Farmer, and Bayard Rustin.
9:30 PM URGENT 2-25-65 NWL
TO DIRECTOR CHICAGO NEWARK AND NEW YORK
NEW YORK VIA WASHINGTON—ENCODED
FROM PHILADELPHIA 252025
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA, IS-MMI.
RE PHILADELPHIA CALL TO NEW YORK TODAY.
[BUREAU DELETION] HE RECOGNIZED NEWSPAPER PHOTO OF TALMADGE HAYER, AKA THOMAS HAGAN, AS PERSON HE KNEW AS NOI AND FOI MEMBER IN 1963 AND 1964. CANNOT RECALL X NUMBER, BUT BELIEVES FIRST NAME WAS TALMADGE OR THOMAS. ATTENDED NOI MEETINGS WITH HAYER [BUREAU DELETION] ALWAYS ASSUMED HAYER MEMBER OF MM NUMBER 25, NEWARK; HOWEVER, NOW FEELS MAY HAVE BEEN MEMBER OF TEMPLE IN PATERSON. AT MEETINGS, BOTH NEWARK AND PATERSON, HAYER WAS SECURITY GUARD AND SEARCHED [BUREAU DELETION] MOST THOROUGHLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. [BUREAU DELETION] ALSO OBSERVED HAYER AT MEETING AT ARENA, 4537 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1963 AT WHICH ELIJAH MUHAMMAD WAS PRINCIPAL SPEAKER. HAYER WAS ON SEARCH DETAIL INSIDE ARENA ON NORTH CORRIDOR.
LAST SAW HAYER IN CHICAGO FEBRUARY 1964 AT SAVIOR’S DAY CONVENTION. HAYER SAT ON EITHER FIRST OR SECOND ROW WHEN ELIJAH MUHAMMAD SPOKE AS A GUARD FOR MUHAMMAD IN EVENT OF TROUBLE.
FEBRUARY 25, 1965
TELETYPE
SENT BY CODED TELETYPE
FBI NEW YORK
8-37 AM URGENT 2-25-65 DAE
TO DIRECTOR -2-
FROM NEW YORK 105-8999
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA IS-MMI.
[BUREAU DELETION] ADVISED FEB. TWENTY FOUR, SIXTY FIVE, THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ONE SUSPECT OTHER THAN TALMADGE HAYER, WHICH HE DECLINED TO IDENTIFY AT THIS TIME IN THE KILLING OF MALCOLM X. [BUREAU DELETION] INDICATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CRANK CALLS BEING MADE AT THE PRESENT TIME, THEY ARE WAITING UNTIL AFTER THE FUNERAL OF MALCOLM X BEFORE QUESTIONING THIS SUSPECT. [BUREAU DELETION] ALSO STATED THAT A NUMBER OF WITNESSES TO THE SHOOTING OF MALCOLM X CANNOT BE LOCATED AND ARE BELIEVED TO BE STAYING WITH FRIENDS UNTIL THE SITUATION “COOLS OFF.”
IN RESPECT TO THE HEADLINES IN THE “NEW YORK POST,” A DAILY NEWSPAPER, DATED FEB. TWENTY FOUR, CAPTIONED “POLICE HINT MALCOLM-S KILLERS KNOWN” [BUREAU DELETION] SAID [BUREAU DELETION] WISHED IT WAS TRUE AND REMARKED THAT IT IS JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR THE “NEW YORK POST” TO SELL NEWSPAPERS. CLOSE LIAISON WITH [BUREAU DELETION] CONTINUING.
END
WA
JH
FBI WASH DC
FEBRUARY 26, 1965
TELETYPE
SENT BY CODED TELETYPE
6-03 PM URGENT 2-26-65 NHH
TO NEW YORK /18/
FROM DIRECTOR /25-330971/ IP
NATION OF ISLAM INTERNAL SECURITY DASH NOI.
REURTEL FIVE TWENTY A.M. INSTANT DATE, CAPTIONED QUOTE MALCOLM K. LITTLE, ALSO KNOWN AS, END QUOTE, AND YOUR AIRTEL JANUARY THIRTEEN LAST, CAPTIONED QUOTE NATION OF ISLAM, INTERNAL SECURITY DASH NOI, END QUOTE, WITH ENCLOSED LETTERHEAD MEMORANDUM.
RETEL ADVISED OF ARREST OF TWO INDIVIDUALS FOR MURDER OF MALCOLM X. ONE IDENTIFIED AS NORMAN THREE X BUTLER. IMMEDIATELY SUTEL IDENTITY OF SECOND INDIVIDUAL ARRESTED. REAIRTEL ADVISED OF ARRESTS OF NORMAN THREE X BUTLER, THOMAS FIFTEEN X JOHNSON, AND [BUREAU DELETION] IN CONNECTION WITH SHOOTING OF BENJAMIN BROWN ON JANUARY SIX LAST. [BUREAU DELETION] POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT IN THE MURDER OF MALCOLM X LITTLE AND ANY FUTURE
REPRISALS.
END
DAE
FBI NEW YORK
FEBRUARY 27, 1965
TELETYPE
SENT BY CODED TELETYPE
FBI NEW YORK
5-15 PM URGENT 2-27-65 RGF
TO DIRECTOR -7- /100-399321/
FROM NEW YORK /105-8999/ 2P
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, AKA IS-MMI
RE NEW YORK TELETYPE TO BUREAU FEBRUARY TWENTY SIX LAST CAPTIONED AS ABOVE, WHICH REPORTED THAT [BUREAU DELETION] HAD ADVISED THAT WITNESS [BUREAU DELETION] HAS NOW IDENTIFIED BOTH TALMADGE HAYER AND NORMAN BUTLER AS ASSAILANTS OF MALCOLM X AT THE TIME OF HIS KILLING. AS BUREAU HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADVISED, [BUREAU DELETION] WAS FIRST CONTACTED BY NEW YORK OFFICE AGENTS, [BUREAU DELETION] WHEN HE TURNED OVER FORTY FIVE AUTOMATIC [BUREAU DELETION] RECOVERED AT SCENE OF KILLING. [BUREAU DELETION] WAS AT FIRST RELUCTANT TO SERVE AS WITNESS BUT IS NOW COOPERATING FULLY WITH POLICE.
ON FEBRUARY TWENTY SIX [BUREAU DELETION] ALL EXPRESSED THEIR DEEP APPRECIATION TO NEW YORK OFFICE AGENTS FOR THE EXCELLENT COOPERATION IN TURNING OVER WITNESS [BUREAU DELETION] AND THE GUN. [BUREAU DELETION] ONE POLICE OFFICER SAID THAT AS OF FEBRUARY TWENTY SIX [BUREAU DELETION] WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT WITNESS THEY HAD.
FOR BUREAU/S INFORMATION
END
UU
SXC
FBI WASH DC
Date: February
25, 1965
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TO |
: |
Mr. Mohr |
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FROM |
: |
C. D. DeLoach |
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SUBJECT |
: |
MALCOLM X |
The New York Journal American issue of 2/24/65 carries a story concerning the murder of Malcolm X under the headline, “G-Men in Harlem—The Plot Deepens.” The story states that, “Negro FBI Agents were working under cover in Harlem today in an investigation reportedly aimed at ferreting out possible international political motives behind the assassination of Malcolm X.” Further on in the story it is stated, “The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that there are Negro FBI agents in Harlem, but dodged saying anything specific about their assignments.” The Director inquired, “What about this?”
Assistant Director Malone of the New York Office advises that neither he nor any of his men in the New York Office confirmed the FBI has Special Agents working in Harlem. Mr. Malone said all inquiries from whatever source had been answered with a “no comment” in connection with this matter.
No one in my office, in answer to inquiries, confirmed to anyone that Negro Agents are working in Harlem.
It is a well-known fact among news media people that the FBI has Negro Agents working in large Negro communities. In fact, we publicize this repeatedly. An example of such highlighting the work of our Negro Agents is the attached reprint from the September, 1962, issue of Ebony, wherein on page 3 this point is specifically made. Reporters Flynn and Pearl, who work under Guy Richards at the Journal-American are known for their flamboyancy and speculative stories.
Enclosure
REW: bsp
Chicago, Illinois
February 27, 1965
On February 22 and 23, 1965, Wesley South, moderator of the question-answer program “Hot Line” over Chicago radio station WVON, interviewed Elijah Muhammad. This program, which is on the air 11:00 P.M. to midnight, was monitored by a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In response to questions regarding the assassination of Malcolm K. Little and the NOI, Muhammad stated as follows:
The murder of Malcolm X was a shock and surprise to us. We are investigating the charge all over the country to see if the NOI is responsible and to see if we can come up with the man’s name in our records, but as of now we have no record. I have preached for thirty-four years we are against this type of thing. Malcolm left and began teaching hate and the arming of his members. We in the NOI are against this position as it would be suicide to take up arms against this country. Allah teaches us not to carry guns and we do not carry any. We have no guns, bombs or artillery pieces to field. The Koran teaches that if one opposes the Messenger and repents he is forgiving, but if he does not repent he is subject to divine chastisement such as death or hell fire.
Muhammad stated he did not know the reason why Malcolm was killed nor who killed him. Muhammed has not asked police protection but appreciates it, adding he was a taxpayer.
Muhammad stated he has heard assassins are coming for him but that he was not frightened, as he was on Allah’s mission and was not running.
Muhammad stated he had two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand members all over the world. He said some people in order to keep their racial pride teach hate. Muhammad doesn’t teach violence except to fight back if attacked. The NOI is never the aggressor. Muhammad does not teach hate, only the truth and the white men are a wicked, devil race. A Muslim is one who has submitted himself to Islam.
Muhammad stated he would not back any man who used violence and in the event it subsequently might be discovered a member of the NOI killed Malcolm, added he would not back any man who used violence as the Koran only teaches us to kill on the order of Allah. This would be handled in the same way that God advised Moses to lead and help his people as set forth in the Bible.
On February 23, 1965, Elijah Muhammad in response to questions submitted by individuals who called in to radio station WVON advised as follows:
That when Malcolm X remarked that the “Chickens had come home to roost” in regards to the assassination of President Kennedy he meant that this individual had come to his end. The son who had denounced him had now returned and confessed and did not have knowledge of the truth when this occurred. Now he has true knowledge.
[BUREAU DELETION] that Wallace Muhammad, son of Elijah Muhammad, was a former minister in the NOI, but deviated from the NOI in late May, 1964, and was dismissed there from by Muhammad.
The February 25, 1965, issue of Chicago’s American, a Chicago, Illinois daily newspaper, contained an item on page 1, that Wallace Muhammad would be permitted by his father to rejoin the NOI.
New York, New York
February 28, 1965
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security—Muslim Mosque Incorporated
[BUREAU DELETION] the body of Malcolm K. Little commonly known as Malcolm X, formerly the founder and leader of the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated (MMI), leader and chairman of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), who was shot and killed on February 21, 1965 in New York City, was removed from the Unity Funeral Home, 2352 Eighth Avenue, New York City on February 27, 1965 at approximately 9:20 A.M. to the Faith Temple Church of God, Amsterdam Avenue and West 147th Street, New York City.
[BUREAU DELETION] further advised that the funeral services, which ran approximately fifteen minutes behind schedule, formally began at 9:50 A.M.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised that there were no incidents during the removal of the body from the funeral home to the church; that approximately one thousand persons were in the church itself and that at 9:30 A.M. there were approximately five hundred persons outside the church. [BUREAU DELETION] further advised that a detail of the NYCPD was in evidence in the area of the church during the entire funeral.
At 9:30 A.M., the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Television Station, WNBC, New York City, broadcasted a one-hour television program covering the services. The television coverage began with scenic scanning photographs of the area surrounding the Faith Temple Church of God at Amsterdam Avenue and West 147th Street, New York City. Included were various views of the funeral procession as it entered the church. At 9:50 A.M. the television cameras were focused on the podium within the church.
Ossie Davis, Negro Playwright and Actor, acted as Master of Ceremonies. Davis made mention of the cooperation rendered the family of the late Malcolm X and those responsible for planning his funeral by the various news media, civic leaders, New York City officials and the NYCPD. He then read excerpts from various telegrams, letters and messages of condolence received by the widow of Malcolm X. Among such messages of condolence as mentioned by Ossie Davis were messages from the Los Angeles Youth Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Whitney M. Young, Jr., Executive Director of the National Urban League.
Among those present at the Faith Temple Church of God were James Farmer, National Director of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Bayard Rustin, leader of the 1963 March on Washington, Dick Gregory, Negro comedian and John Lewis, Director of the National Urban League.
Ossie Davis was assisted in reading the messages of condolence by his wife, the actress Ruby Dee.
The church services also included eulogies by a male individual who was only identified as a representative of the Islamic Center of Geneva and the United States. This male Negro mentioned that Malcolm X made a trip to the Middle East and Africa in 1964 and that thereafter his views changed and that he no longer advocated racism or violence but believed in integration. This individual characterized Malcolm X as a martyr and stated that it is “better to die on the battlefield than in bed” and that “those who die in battle are not dead.”
The concluding speaker was an individual only identified as a leader of the Muslim Students in the United States and Canada. This individual characterized Malcolm X as a Negro leader, who had given his life for the advancement of the Negro cause throughout the world.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised that between 10:45 A.M. and 11:10 A.M. on 2/27/65, the funeral services at the Faith Temple Church of God, New York City, were concluded without incident and that the funeral procession proceeded through Harlem in an orderly fashion to the Major Deegan Expressway and traveled north from New York City under NYCPD escort to the City line at the beginning of the Thomas E. Dewey Expressway, Westchester County, New York, where the procession was taken over by the New York State Police Department en route to Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York. [BUREAU DELETION] advised that the funeral procession started with approximately fifteen cars and that the procession itself became entwined with New York City traffic in Harlem and on the expressway.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on February 27, 1965 that the funeral procession under convoy of the New York State Police entered the grounds of the Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York, Town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, at 11:35 A.M. on February 27, 1965 with approximately fifty-two automobiles parked behind the hearse, that approximately two hundred passengers from these automobiles joined another two hundred persons who had been waiting at the scene for the funeral procession to arrive.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised that the funeral service at the grave was concluded at approximately 12:45 P.M., by which time the group which appeared to be members of the immediate funeral procession itself had left the cemetery. [BUREAU DELETION] advised that there were no disturbances or incidents in the cemetery or at the gravesite itself; that the funeral was carried on in an orderly fashion but that shortly before the end of the ceremony itself a woman believed to be [BUREAU DELETION] Boston, Massachusetts, [BUREAU DELETION] in a slight emotional outburst was heard to say that she would be “willing to die for the cause.”
[BUREAU DELETION] that two individuals known to him only as former members of a personal bodyguard or close associates of Malcolm X, also in an emotional outburst indicated that the death of Malcolm X would eventually be avenged.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on February 27, 1965 that Harlem Rent Strike Leader Jesse Gray advocated that retail merchants on 125th Street in Harlem close their stores during the Malcolm X funeral hours on February 27, 1965 under the threat of a picket line and boycott. [BUREAU DELETION] further advised that [BUREAU DELETION] noted that the Jesse Gray picket line included no more than thirty persons; that the picket line which appeared at 125th Street, New York City, was completely ineffective and that reports indicate that the retail merchants in the area paid no attention to it and that business was conducted without incident.
[BUREAU DELETION]
Boston, Massachusetts
March 8, 1965
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, aka
INTERNAL SECURITY—MMI
[BUREAU DELETION] Malcolm Little never considered who might succeed him as leader if anything happened to him. Even though Little believed that his life was in danger, he seemed to be convinced that nothing would happen. Malcolm had stated to his friends that when he left the NOI he was penniless. He made enough money on magazine articles and television appearances to keep himself going, but he said that he had to leave the country to try to establish some permanent source of income for himself. He contacted the heads of the legitimate Moslem religion and, at their request, made the required pilgrimage to Mecca. They arranged to have a religious leader sent to New York City to teach and perform the religious rights of the Moslem religion. This leader was to reside with Malcolm Little, for which Little would be reimbursed the sum of $500 a month.
New York, New York
March 12, 1965
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security—MMI
On February 21, 1965, at 3:10 P.M. [BUREAU DELETION] advised that Malcolm X had just been shot in the Audubon Ballroom, New York City, while addressing an OAAU public rally. [BUREAU DELETION] that Reuben X Francis, one of Malcolm’s officers, fired back at those shooting at Malcolm X. [BUREAU DELETION] a Negro male (later identified as Talmadge Hayer) was captured outside the Audubon Ballroom immediately after the shooting.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on February 21, 1965, that at approximately 3:10 P.M., this date, he received a call at the station that a homicide was committed at the Audubon Ballroom, 564 West 166th Street, New York City.
He stated that Patrolman [BUREAU DELETION] New York City Police Department, advised the same date that Malcolm X, Negro, male, age 39, of Suite 128, Hotel Theresa, 7th Avenue and 125th Street, New York City, while on the stage of the Audubon Ballroom, was shot and killed by unknown persons. Patrolman [BUREAU DELETION] stated that Malcolm X was pronounced dead on arrival by [BUREAU DELETION] at Vanderbilt Clinic, Presbyterian Hospital at 168th Street and Broadway, New York City, on February 21, 1965. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that the Police Department determined that the shooting of Malcolm X occurred at about 3:10 P.M., February 21, 1965.
On February 21, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] both of the [BUREAU DELETION] advised that Malcolm X was shot that afternoon during a rally of the OAAU at the Audubon Ballroom. They stated that [BUREAU DELETION] was on patrol on Broadway when he heard shots coming from the Audubon Ballroom. He immediately proceeded in that direction where he saw people coming out of the said ballroom shouting that Malcolm X had been shot. Others were shouting “Don’t let him get away.” [BUREAU DELETION] at that time arrested person identified as Thomas Hagan as he was running out of the ballroom. When arrested, Hagan (true name Hayer) had in his pocket a .45 caliber automatic clip containing four rounds. Hayer had been shot in the left leg.
[BUREAU DELETION] further stated on February 21, 1965, that the Police Department obtained two witnesses immediately after the shooting, namely [BUREAU DELETION] both freelance reporters and photographers of [BUREAU DELETION].
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] gave statements in which they say they saw Hayer with a gun in his hand while Malcolm X was on the stage speaking. They said Malcolm X suddenly called out “Hold it” and after this, [BUREAU DELETION] dropped to the floor and did not actually see Malcolm X shot, but stated before they dropped to the floor, they saw Hayer with a gun in his hand pointing it towards Malcolm X. The next thing they saw was Hayer trying to run out of the ballroom with a gun in his hand. According to [BUREAU DELETION] as Hayer ran out, one of Malcolm’s group shot three times at Hayer with an automatic pistol. Hayer did not have the pistol on him when he was arrested outside the ballroom.
[BUREAU DELETION] also stated that [BUREAU DELETION] who was sitting in the front row in the Audubon Ballroom was shot in the foot during the shooting spree in which Malcolm X was shot. He also stated that [BUREAU DELETION] was also hit during the shooting spree in the ballroom and both [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] were treated at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, New York City.
[BUREAU DELETION] later advised that the police found a 12 gauge sawed-off double-barrel shotgun manufactured by J. C. Higgins, model 1017, also bearing the number 5100. The police advised, upon examination, that the shotgun had been fired and left at the scene.
At approximately 7:45 P.M., on February 21, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that Haver was being detained in the prison ward at Bellevue Hospital, under guard. He stated that Hayer had one bullet in him which entered his left thigh and shattered the thigh bone. He stated the hospital plans to put Hayer’s left leg in traction and that the bullet would stay in the leg for about two weeks until such time as the bone would be healed enough to permit an operation.
On February 21, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] New York, contacted the office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at New York City and stated that he had one of the pistols used to kill Malcolm X. [BUREAU DELETION] was at that time in [BUREAU DELETION] and asked that Bureau Agents meet him at the [BUREAU DELETION] address as soon as possible. [BUREAU DELETION] when contacted the same date by Agents of the FBI, [BUREAU DELETION] was in the back of the Audubon Ballroom, the same date, to hear Malcolm X speak. He stated that he is a member of the OAAU. He said Malcolm X was just introduced and began to speak when some people began to scream somewhere about eight rows from the front of the auditorium. He said people in that area began to move away and Malcolm X put up his hands as though to quiet the people down and was heard to say “Keep your seats.” Just then, [BUREAU DELETION] shots rang out, but [BUREAU DELETION] could not see who was doing the shooting. After the shots were fired [BUREAU DELETION] the persons shooting headed for the exit. Some of the people in the audience tried to stop them by throwing chairs at them or in their way. At this time, two of Malcolm X’s men were shooting at the assailants as they were trying to leave the ballroom. [BUREAU DELETION] said the two men involved in the shooting passed him, but as the other two men involved were running towards the exit, one turned to fire back at Malcolm X’s men. As this man then turned to run through the exit, [BUREAU DELETION] threw a “body block” into him knocking him down the stairs, at which time, this person dropped a .45 caliber pistol. [BUREAU DELETION] picked up the gun and attempted to shoot the man he knocked down as he was running down the stairs, but the gun jammed and he ran out of the building. [BUREAU DELETION] said he checked the gun and noticed that three rounds were still in the clip. [BUREAU DELETION] then turned over to Special Agents of the FBI a .45 caliber automatic pistol, serial number 335055, containing a clip with three rounds of ammunition.
At 10:15 P.M., February 21, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] came to the office of the FBI, at which time, they were furnished a .45 caliber automatic pistol, which was obtained by Agents of the FBI from [BUREAU DELETION].
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that Hayer, who was arrested immediately after shooting Malcolm X, has been charged with homicide and that Reuben X Francis, a member of Malcolm X’s group, was charged with felonious assault and possession of a deadly weapon.
[BUREAU DELETION] also stated that the Police Department has a witness who identified Francis as the person firing back at assailants of Malcolm X. He said Francis was believed to have fired a shot which struck Hayer in the leg. He said Francis is suspected of being the person who fired a .32 caliber pistol, which has never been recovered by the Police Department. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that it is estimated that up to four persons may be involved in the killing of Malcolm X.
[BUREAU DELETION] further advised that an autopsy performed 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. The autopsy located one nine millimeter slug and one .45 caliber slug, and several shotgun pellets in the body of Malcolm X.
[BUREAU DELETION] said that when the Police Department examined the Audubon Ballroom after the shooting they found a sawed-off double-barrel shotgun wrapped in a green suit coat. In the suit coat pocket was found a key for a Yale lock, a package of camel cigarettes and an empty eyeglass case bearing the optometrist name “M. M. Fine, Main Street, Flushing.” The shotgun contained two discharged Remington express shells, single 0 buckshot shells, and there were indications that the gun was recently fired.
[BUREAU DELETION] also stated that in the ballroom were found three .45 caliber shells and slugs, six nine millimeter shells and two slugs, and three .32 caliber slugs and 10 pieces of lead, presumably fired from the shotgun.
The FBI Identification Division, on February 22, 1965, identified prints of the person arrested in the shooting of Malcolm X as Talmadge Hayer, who up until then, was known to the Police Department only as Thomas Hagen. Identification records reflect that Hayer, FBI #142496F, is a male, Negro, born March 16, 1942, at Hackensack, New Jersey, last known residing at 347 Marshall Street, Paterson, New Jersey. [BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] that Malcolm X arrived at the Audubon Ballroom, February 21, 1965, in a white 1965 Cadillac. Malcolm X was surrounded by his bodyguards and was then escorted into the front corridor of the Audubon Ballroom and then to the stage. When Malcolm X began to speak, a disturbance occurred between two men. Up in the front near the stage, Malcolm X’s bodyguards started to move towards the two men causing a disturbance, when Malcolm X said “Hold it.” Without hesitation, two men occupying the front seats, left side, middle aisle, looking towards the stage, got into a crouched position and fired several shots in the direction of Malcolm X. The fire “spitting” from the guns “crashed” into the chest of Malcolm X and he fell backwards as if knocked down by a sudden powerful force. Still in the crouched position, the gunmen hastily moved toward the exit in the back of the hall, stepping over persons who were laying on the floor. It is believed that approximately twenty shots in all were fired during the shooting.
[BUREAU DELETION] reviewed a photograph of Talmadge Hayer and identified him as one of the persons who shot and killed Malcolm X on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom.
[BUREAU DELETION] advised on that date Hayer’s fingerprints were found on the clip of the .45 caliber pistol that was picked up by [BUREAU DELETION]at the Audubon Ballroom the day Malcolm X was killed and turned over to the FBI.
On February 26, 1965 [BUREAU DELETION] Norman 3X Butler, 661 Rosedale Avenue, Bronx, New York, was arrested at 3:00 A.M., same date, by the New York City Police Department, as one of the assassins in the killing of Malcolm X on February 21, 1965. [BUREAU DELETION] said that three witnesses including [BUREAU DELETION] placed Butler in the Audubon Ballroom at the time that Malcolm X was shot and he was identified as one of the persons who actually shot at Malcolm X.
[BUREAU DELETION] a photograph of Norman 3X Butler, who was arrested by the Police Department for the killing of Malcolm X as one of the persons who participated in the shooting of Malcolm X at the Audubon Ballroom.
On February 27, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that [BUREAU DELETION] identified Talmadge Hayer and Norman 3X Butler, both now in the custody of the New York City Police Department, as assassins in the killing of Malcolm X. Butler was arrested in January 1965, for shooting a Correctional Officer who broke away from the NOI and, at the time he was arrested for killing Malcolm X, he was on $10,000 bail.
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] identified Norman 3X Butler from photographs as the man who was sitting [BUREAU DELETION] and said “Get your hands out of my pocket” in the Audubon Ballroom, just before Malcolm X was killed. [BUREAU DELETION] cannot recognize Thomas 15X Johnson from photographs as being in the Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965.
On March 4, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] stated that as of this date, Hayer, Butler and Johnson, all arrested for the killing of Malcolm X, have refused to furnish any information other than their name and age.
On March 8, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that [BUREAU DELETION] was interviewed by the New York City Police Department on the same date. According to [BUREAU DELETION] stated that he saw Hayer shoot Malcolm X and also observed Butler and Johnson in the Audubon Ballroom the day Malcolm X was killed. [BUREAU DELETION] saw Johnson run out the side exit after the shooting.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that Johnson, when arrested, denied being in the Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that [BUREAU DELETION] after the shooting, he picked up the shotgun used to kill Malcolm X and gave it to Rueben X Francis. He said he also picked up a German Luger pistol and gave it to another person to hold until the police arrived.
[BUREAU DELETION] stated that the German Luger was never turned over to the Police Department and this gun could probably account for the nine millimeter slug in Malcolm’s body. [BUREAU DELETION]
On March 10, 1965, [BUREAU DELETION] advised that the [BUREAU DELETION] in conducting interviews of persons, particularly MMI members who were present in the Audubon Ballroom when Malcolm X was shot, seem to have the same “clear cut” story that they were in the ballroom when Malcolm X was shot and when the shots rang out they fell to the floor and never got a look at the assassins. [BUREAU DELETION] stated that the Police Department learned that [BUREAU DELETION] of the MMI in New York City, has instructed members of the MMI and the OAAU to cooperate with the Police Department but only say that they fell on the floor when the shooting started and cannot identify the person who shot Malcolm X.
[BUREAU DELETION] said the [BUREAU DELETION] is now shifting their investigation towards officials of the MMI [BUREAU DELETION]. In reference to [BUREAU DELETION] stated that information has been received that [BUREAU DELETION] also was one of Malcolm X’s bodyguards the day he was shot, and has been seen in the Harlem area “dressed to kill,” “wearing one hundred dollar suits” and a “pocket full of hundred dollar bills” since the death of Malcolm X. [BUREAU DELETION] said that [BUREAU DELETION] has no visible means of support at this time.
[BUREAU DELETION] also stated that on March 10, 1965, the New York County Grand Jury handed down first-degree murder indictments in the killing of Malcolm X on February 21, 1965, against Talmadge Hayer, Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson.
The New York Times, a local daily newspaper dated March 11, 1965, contained an article captioned “4 Are Indicted Here In Malcolm X Case.” This article states:
A grand jury indicted three Negroes yesterday in the slaying of Malcolm X, Black Nationalist leader, and indicted Malcolm’s bodyguard for shooting and wounding one of the trio.
Charges of willfully killing Malcolm “with a shotgun and pistols” were made against Thomas Hagen, also known as Talmadge Hayer and Thomas Hayer, 22 years old, of 347 Marshall Street, Paterson, N.J.; Norman 3X Butler, 26, of 661 Rosedale Avenue, the Bronx; and Thomas 15X Johnson, 29, of 932 Bronx Park South, the Bronx.
A separate indictment accused Rueben [sic] Francis, under that spelling and also as Rueben [sic] X, on one count of first-degree felonious assault for “aiming and discharging a pistol” at Hagan, two counts of second-degree assault and a fourth count of possessing a pistol. Francis, 33, has given his address as 871 East 179th Street, the Bronx.
Hagan is in Bellevue Hospital’s prison ward. Butler and Johnson, [who] are being held without bail, and Francis, whose bail has been set at $10,000, are to be arraigned in Supreme Court, tomorrow.
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