On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated at age 39 while delivering a lecture at Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights.
According to this article on TIME, just a week before his assassination, Malcolm X’s home in the New York City borough of Queens was firebombed while he, his wife Betty Shabazz and their four children were asleep inside. No one was ever charged related to the incident. Though no one was injured, it became obvious to Malcolm and those around him that he was in serious danger.
Malcolm's death prompted Martin Luther King, Jr. to send the following telegram to Malcolm X's wife, Betty Shabazz.
Mrs. Malcolm X Faith Temple Church Harlem New York, New York
I was certainly saddened by the shocking and tragic assassination of your husband. While we did not always see eye to eye on methods to solve the race problem, I always had a deep affection for Malcolm and felt that he had the great ability to put his finger on the existence and root of the problem. He was an eloquent spokesman for his point of view and no one can honestly doubt that Malcolm had a great concern for the problems that we face as a race. While I know that this is a difficult hour for you, I am sure that God will give you the strength to endure. I will certainly be remembering you in my prayers and please know that you have my deepest sympathy. Always consider me a friend and if I can do anything to ease the heavy load that you are forced to carry at this time, please feel free to call on me.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Watch Who Killed Malcolm X? (2020) on Netflix.
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