Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of civil rights leader Malcolm X, reportedly killed in Mexico

(CBS/AP)-- U.S. officials say Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of the late political activist Malcolm X, has died in Mexico.

Two U.S. officials say Shabazz, 28, was killed Thursday morning in Mexico City. They spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

Shabazz family publicist Terrie Williams confirms the death and says the family will issue a statement later. 

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

Williams, who runs the Terrie Williams Agency in New York City, confirmed the man's death to the N.Y. Journal News.

"I'm confirming, per the U.S. Embassy, on behalf of the family, the tragic death of Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X," she wrote on her Facebook and Twitter accounts. "Statement from family to come."

In 1997, 12-year-old Malcolm Shabazz set a fire at Betty Shabazz's home in Yonkers, NY.  Malcolm Shabazz pleaded guilty to second-degree arson and second-degree manslaughter in the fire, which left his 63-year-old grandmother dead.

He served four years in juvenile detention.

"I mentored him and he did a lot of work with us in terms of speaking to young people," Williams told the paper. "He was a very, very powerful brother."

In 2002 and 2006, Shabazz again found himself in court after allegedly taking part in a violent robbery and smashing in a window at a Dunkin Donuts.