beaten on tape last month, trans woman is now dead

Last month, Muhlaysia Booker, a trans woman, was publicly beaten in Dallas, an act that was videotaped. Now, this same trans woman has been murdered. Shortly before 7 am on May 18th, police received a call about a shooting, and when they arrived on the scene, they found 23-year-old Muhlaysia Booker face-down in the street, dead from a gunshot wound.

Dallas Police Lt. Vincent Weddington attributed Booker’s killing to “homicidal violence,” yet claimed it had no relation to her beating. Which is bullshit. As a transgender woman, Muhlaysia was more likely to be targeted for who she was that her cis counterparts, who, generally, don’t face everyday danger when they leave their homes.

Last month’s beating occurred after a minor traffic incident which led to a group of men repeatedly punching and kicking Muhlaysia, a video of which was posted on Facebook and went viral. It is still being investigated by the police as a hate crime.

Rest in Paradise, Muhlaysia.

I am deeply saddened to learn of the murder of Muhlaysia Booker. I call on anyone with information on this homicide to please contact the Dallas Police Department.

— Mike Rawlings (@Mike_Rawlings) May 20, 2019