I note that the relatives say that he joined the Black Panthers when he became disillusioned with the US after Viet Nam. Earlier in the article it says he joined while in Indianapolis, which was when he was a teenager.
I find that confusing. Also, if he helped the FBI with the New York Panther investigation, he must have known a little bit about how they were organized.
I still like the cell phone comment. I hope that they all are calling eveyone they can think of to help them, including some jihadist buddies.