September 27, 2025

In a dramatic final chapter, Assata Shakur—once a fierce member of the Black Liberation Army and a symbol of rebellion—has passed away at the age of 78. Cuban officials confirmed that Shakur died in Havana on September 25, 2025, due to "health problems and advanced age," according to the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s announcement on their X account. Known to many as Joanne Deborah Byron, she was a US citizen and had been a fugitive for decades. Shakur’s name became famous after she was convicted for the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. The case was explosive: It involved a deadly shootout that sadly also claimed the life of one of her fellow activists. During that intense clash, Shakur was shot twice by police. But her story didn’t end there—far from it. In a daring escape in 1979, Shakur broke out of jail and fled to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum. Since then, she remained on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorist list and was a permanent figure on the New Jersey State Police’s Most Wanted List. The US government repeatedly sought to bring her back from Cuba, but all extradition attempts failed. Assata Shakur was a legendary figure in the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. Her life was marked by a fiery fight for justice and freedom. In her autobiography, she wrote powerful words that captured her spirit: “it is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” Her death closes a long chapter filled with controversy, courage, and a relentless quest for liberation. As news spreads, many will remember her not just for the crime she was convicted of but for the wider fight she symbolized.

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Tags: Assata shakur, Black liberation army, New jersey state trooper murder, Fbi most wanted, Cuba asylum, Joanne deborah byron,