[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<
br />
______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
Malcolm X Page 32