James Russell McGregor, also known as James 3X, James Shabazz, and Son of Thunder, was a leader of the Black Muslims and an associate of Malcolm X.[1][2] Shabazz was a minister and spiritual leader of thousands of Muslims in Newark and Jersey City and had been a member of the Nation of Islam, or Black Muslims, for more than 30 years.[3]
He was murdered in the driveway of his home on September 4, 1973, in Newark, NJ. [2]
Shabazz was originally from Southern Pines, North Carolina and was the father of 13 children.[2]
Shabazz was the head of Muslim Mosque No. 25inNewark and in Jersey City at the time of his murder.[2][4]
Shabazz was shot several times in the face while opening the door of his 1973 Cadillac in the driveway of his South Seventh Avenue home in Newark.[4] Two gunmen ran off on foot.[2][5] Police reports indicated that was a power struggle among the Black Muslims and discontent due to several Muslims being recently disbarred from membership.[4]
Shabazz's funeral at Mosque No. 25 was attended by over 3,000 people.[3]
McGregor's murder was one of three related incidents within a year that involved Black Muslims. The Hanafi Murder and the murder of Major Coxson were the other two. Police believed the killing was motivated by internal strife.[2]
After the murder, three reportedly Black Muslims, abducted an off‐duty policeman from the street near Mr. Shabazz's home. He was driven around in a car, questioned him about Mr. Shabazz, and released.[4] They were arrested later that day and were charged with kidnapping.[4]
The day following the kidnapping and release of the police officer, a black man was abducted nearby, driven around in a car for 24 hours, questioned about the Shabazz murder, and released.[4]
A Chicago Tribune article reported, "Internal disputes, including burning of mosques, have characterized the Black Muslims, also known as the Nation of Islam during the last decade. Some of the dissent has been between supporters of Elijah Muhammad, of Chicago and those who think it is time to replace the 75-year old leader of the sect which preaches racial separation. Previously another racial separatist group known as the Black Nationalists rivaled the [Black] Muslims for control of New York during the mid-1960s."[2]
On October 18, 1973, the decapitated bodies of Warren Marcell and Michael A. Huff were found in Newark Park. Their heads were found four miles away and one block from the home of Shabazz. Sources within the police told the Chicago Tribune, "they suspected the deaths were linked to a violent internal struggle within the Muslims. Twin brothers, Roger and Ralph Banston were killed one month earlier on September 18. [4]
A prison brawl occurred in October 1975 that involved four people from the New World of Islam that were serving life sentences for the murder. One prisoner was killed and six were stabbed with sharpened chisels. A Chicago Tribune article referred to the incident as "a preplanned attack by the Black Muslims on the Bellites," and that "Bellites were identified as members of the New World Muslim faction."[citation needed]
Fourteen people were indicted for murder in an alleged conspiracy to seize control of Newark's Mosque No. 25.[6]
Seated behind Malcolm X at the rally are three NOI ministers (from left): James 3X Shabazz (formerly McGregor), Muhammad's Temple of Islam No. 25, Newark, N. J.; Thomas J. X. (formerly Ridges), Temples No. 13 and 14, Springfield, Mass., and Hartford, Conn., respectively; and Louis X (formerly Walcott), Temple No. 11, Boston. The latter is now known as Louis Farrakhan.
