A transgender woman who was attacked by a group of men in Dallas last month was found fatally shot on Saturday.
Back in April, we reported on the brutal assault Muhlaysia Booker, who was recorded being beaten by a group of men in Texas after she allegedly caused minor damage to one of the men’s cars. The attack sparked an outcry from local politicians and triggered police to launch an investigation into a possible hate crime.
Sadly, Booker was the victim of another violent act this weekend — one that claimed her life.
According to reports, police received a call about a shooting shortly before 7 a.m. on May 18. When they arrived at the scene at the 7200 block of Valley Glen Drive, officials found the 23-year-old lying face down on the street, dead from a gunshot wound.
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Dallas Police Lt. Vincent Weddington did not go into detail about Booker’s death, aside from confirming it was due to “homicidal violence.” Weddington went on to say that the victim was not carrying identification on her at the time, but the medical examiner positively identified her as Booker on Sunday afternoon.
The killing comes weeks after one man, Edward Thomas (pictured below), was arrested and faces charges over the April 12 assault.
As we reported, someone was said to have offered the 29-year-old $200 to beat Booker up following the traffic accident. Thomas, along with several other men, was recorded punching and kicking the victim as they yelled transphobic obscenities like:
“That’s what your f****t ass gets.”
“Get that f*****t out of our hood.”
“Shoot that punk ass.”
Thomas admitted to the beating, according to the affidavit, but denied yelling slurs at the victim.
During Sunday’s presser, Weddington said that Thomas had not been linked to Booker’s death. He elaborated:
“There is nothing at this time to connect Mr. Edward Thomas and the offense that occurred yesterday.”
Weddington said that police are unaware of Thomas’ current whereabouts, and are currently still trying to identify others who participated in the April attack. He encouraged anyone with information on either case “to come forward with information to bring closure to both these offenses.”
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The initial attack sparked a wave of outrage on social media, with many pointing to the very high rates of violence and homicide transgender people face every year. In 2018 alone, at least 26 trans people — most of whom were black trans women — were killed through violent acts.
One of these critics was Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, who said following the attack that he was “extremely angry about what appears to be mob violence against this woman.”
Mayor Rawlings spoke out on Booker’s death late Sunday, tweeting that he was “deeply saddened” to learn of her murder and is encouraging anyone with information to contact the Dallas Police Department.
Our hearts are with Booker’s loved ones in the wake of this tragedy. We hope her death sheds some light on the hatred and violence trans people face everyday.
[Image via CBS11]