Assassination of Malcolm X

killing on February 21, 1965

Malcolm X, an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist was killed in Manhattan, New York City on February 21, 1965 at the age 39 by three gunmen.

Malcolm X was preparing to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom, someone yelled "Nigger! Get your hand outta my pocket!" Malcolm X's bodyguards tried to stop the disturbance, a man ran and shot Malcolm in the chest with a sawn off shotgun and two other men fired semi automatic handguns towards Malcolm.

Malcolm X was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm, shortly after arriving at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. The autopsy identified 21 gunshot wounds to the chest, left shoulder, arms and legs, including ten buckshot wounds from the initial shotgun blast.