Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X, has died in Mexico

Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of the late political activist Malcolm X, has died in Mexico, U.S. officials confirmed to the Associated Press. The cause of death has not been confirmed.

“Two U.S. officials say Shabazz was killed on Thursday morning in Mexico City. They spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case,” the Associated Press reported.

A family spokesperson, Terrie Williams, posted on Facebook, “I'm confirming, per US Embassy, on behalf of the family, the tragic death of Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X. Statement from family to come.”

Malcolm Shabazz was the the son of Qubilah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz.

In 1997, Shabazz set a fire that killed his grandmother, Betty Shabazz. She died from the burns, and Shabazz served four years in juvenile detention.

According to the Amsterdam News, he was attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City and was in the process of writing two books.