Assata Shakur Assata Shakur, born Joanne Chesimard, passed away at the age of 78 on Thursday in Havana, Cuba. She was an activist and formerly a member of the Black Liberation Army. In a press release, Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Shakur, who was born Joanne Deborah Chesimard, died Thursday in the capital city of Havana due to health issues and advanced age." Assata was convicted of murdering state trooper Werner Foerster during a shootout on the New Jersey Tur