Arrest Made In Tracy Single Williams Case

The Houston Police Department (HPD) has announced it has made an arrest in the Tracy Single Williams case. 

The waste of DNA who did it was dating her.

25 year old Joshua Dominic Bourgeois was arrested on Friday and has been charged with the murder of the 22 year old Williams.   She was living in an apartment on Houston's west side at the time of her murder and was in a dating relationship with Bourgeois. .   

Her body was found in a gas station parking lot along the 11700 block of  I-10 in west Houston just west of Beltway 8 around 3;30 AM back on July 30, and her death was ruled by the Harris County coroner as a homicide.   Williams body according to HPD spokespersons had severe lacerations in addition to a puncture wound.

Bourgeois is currently cooling his heels in the Harris County Jail without bond, and it is unknown as of this writing if he has a defense attorney.

And yes, you can bet that the Houston area trans community and our allies will be closely watching this case to ensure that justice is served for Tracy and her family.

Number 16- Rest in Power and Peace Tracy Single

Unfortunately we are in a moment in which the trans murders have been happening at a fast and furious pace in the last few weeks.    The latest one happened in my Houston backyard back on July 30.

There was a July 30 news report of a woman found dead in a gas station parking lot along the eastbound feeder road in the 11000 block of the Katy Freeway (I-10 to the rest of y'all)  at 3:34 AM CDT   

Two local stations, ABC13 and FOX 26 reported her as a woman who did not die of natural causes, and HPD detectives were investigating the case.  It took a week to pass here in H-town before we were advised by our HPD LGBT liaisons that the woman who was found along I-10 back on July 30 was actually trans and was murdered. 

Dee Dee Watters subsequently organized an August 11 town hall meeting that led to us finally IDing  Tracy so we can now officially #SayHerName.

Now for the business end of this post. 

The 22 year old Single is now the 16th person we have lost to anti-trans violence in the US in 2019, the third in the state of Texas this year, and the 12th person under age 30 that has joined the ancestors far too soon.

If you peeps in the Houston area have any information that will lead the arrest and conviction of her killer, you are urged to call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600  or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Tracy is being remembered here in Houston by having City Hall lit up in the trans pride flag colors today and tomorrow.   

There's also a stretch of six arched bridges along the below grade portion of I-69 here in Houston that cuts through the southern edge of the Montrose gayborhood that can be lit up in various colors.

Like City Hall, those bridges will be lit up thanks to Houston Mayor's LGBT Advisory Board Chair Harrison Homer-Guy in trans pride flag colors to honor our fallen sister.

As soon as I get confirmation of the funeral arrangements and memorial service, I'll pass that information along when I receive it

Rest in power and peace Tracy.   You were taken away from us way too soon, and we will not rest in the 713 until the person who killed you is locked up for a long stretch in a TDC unit.

Number 15 -Rest in Power Jordan Cofer

We have been hearing about the twin terrorist attacks in El Paso, TX  and Dayton, OH all week.  Unfortunately one of the things trans America just learned as a community is that a trans man was killed in the Dayton terror attack.

Turns out that the 22 year old sibling of Dayton shooter Connor Betts was one of the nine victims in the August 4 attack by Betts at a popular club in the city's entertainment district    The sibling was also the first to die in that terrorist attack that also wounded 27 people before Betts was killed by Dayton police. 

That sibling, Jordan Cofer was being misgendered by family,  Dayton police and the media to the point that Jordan's friends spoke out about it.

According to writer Katelyn Burns,  Cofer was out to a group of friends,  preferred he/him pronouns and self identified as trans masculine..

That means that Cofer is not only the 15th trans person we've lost this year, but is also the first trans masculine and non-Black trans person killed in the United States in 2019.

Cofer's murder also continued the pattern of trans people under age 30 being killed.

It is a pattern that needs to stop. 

Rest in power, Jordan.   Your friends who loved you will ensure that you're never forgotten, and you will always live in their hearts and memories.
   .

Number 13-Rest In Power and Peace Marquis 'Kiki' Fantroy

Was just made aware of the fact that we closed out the month of July with another trans murder.
We travel to Miami for the latest one in the person of 21 year old Marquis 'Kiki' Fantroy.

Fantroy was only a few minutes from her home in the early morning hours of July 31 when she was shot multiple times at 4:30 AM EDT in the area of Southwest 224th Street and 115th Court in southwest Miami-Dade County.

She was taken to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Fantroy was the 13th trans woman who has been murdered in the US this year.   She is the 9th to die that was under age 30.   Even more infuriating, all of the  transgender women killed so far in the US in 2019 have been African American..

At this time no arrests have been made, nor is there a suspect of person of interest in this case.  Fantroy's mother and other loved ones suspect Kiki  may have been killed because she was trans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. A reward of up to $3,000 is offered for information that leads to an arrest.  At this time there is also no word on whether there is a memorial vigil being planned by the local Miami area trans community

Rest in power and peace, Kiki.   You will be missed by all who loved you.  We also will not rest until the person or persons who killed you are captured and brought to justice.   

Number 10- Rest In Power and Peace Zoe Spears

These posts are coming so fast an furiously these days it's taking me time to just get caught up writing them.

We head back to the Washington DC area, specifically the same Fairmount Heights, MD suburb where Ashanti Carmon was killed to report on the latest trans woman taken from us way too soon.

23 year old Washington DC resident Zoe Spears was found shot to death from a gunshot wound just after midnight EDT in June 13.  Spears was declared dead at the scene by first responders, and her body was found less than half a mile from where Carmon's was found.

Spears is now the tenth American trans woman we have lost to anti-trans violence.   All the known American trans deaths so far in 2019 have been African American.   She is also the seventh under age 30 to die this year.

No word yet if there is a person of interest in this case.

As of yet no word concerning a memorial service or funeral planned, and I will pass that info along when I receive it. 

Rest in power and peace, Zoe.. 

Number 7 Rest In Power Chynal Lindsey

I and the Texas trans community still haven't had time to regroup after laying Muhlaysia Booker to rest, and now a mere 24 hours after Dallas Pride happens, we are now having to say the name of another of our trans siblings gone far too soon in her young life.

We go back to Dallas for the second trans person they have had murdered there in 2019, the second in the state of Texas, and the seventh in the United States.

Meet 26 year old Chynal Lindsey.   She was born in Chicago, but lived here in the Lone Star State.  Her body was found in the White Rock Lake reservoir on June 1.

As I mentioned, she is the seventh trans person we have lost in the US to anti-trans violence.  All seven have been African American.   Five of the seven are under age 30.

As of yet,  haven't heard if there is going to be a memorial vigil or detail about funeral arrangements.  Dallas Police has called in the FBI on this case per reporting from David Taffet to determine whether or not this is part of a string of serial killings of trans women in the Dallas area.. 

Something else I haven't heard is the words 'Black trans lives matter' coming from the mouths of the Texas NAACP, which is headquartered in Dallas.

Rest in power and peace , Chynal.  We won't rest until the person who took your live is brought to justice.

     

Number 3- Rest In Power and Peace Muhlaysia Booker

This latest report of a trans murder in 2019 is not only coming from my home state of Texas, it is shocking and mindnumbingly sad for me.

23 year old Muhlaysia Booker survived a brutal April 12 assault by a mob in an apartment complex in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood.  Today it is my sad duty to report that Ms Booker was found shot to death Saturday morning by responding Dallas police officers at 6:40 AM CDT in the 7200 block of Valley Glen Dr. near the Tenison Park golf course in east Dallas.

Booker was pronounced dead at the scene due to 'homicidal violence'.   There are also no suspects as of yet in her murder.   I know where y'all can start looking, DPD.   How about every transphobic fool that was videotaped throwing blows at her on April 12? 

Rest in power and peace Muhlaysia. 

This one's personal to me, her loved ones, BTAC and every trans Texan.  As BTMI president Trenton Johnson said on my FB page, "They attack her in one month and then take her life the next!! This has to stop!"

I agree.  It needs to stop.  I want the waste of DNA who killed Muhlaysia to be expeditiously captured and brought to justice.

Booker is now officially the third trans person to die due to anti-trans violence in the US in 2019, and our first in the Lone Star State this year.  All three trans persons who have been killed in 2019 so far have been African American

This one infuriates me even more because it not only happened here in Texas, it is because of what happened to Booker back in April.   It also happens after HB 1513, a bill sponsored by Rep. Garnet Coleman that would have added trans people to the state's James Byrd Hate Crimes Act, died in the House State Affairs Committee committee for this session. 

What is really pissing me off is that we are still sorting out the fallout from the transphobic April 12 mob assault on her in Oak Cliff and were engaged in getting justice for her in that case. 

Now she's dead and her family is now planning her funeral.

I have to ask the question of the Texas NAACP and other organizations in the Black community not named Black Lives Matter or Black Trans Advocacy Coalition.   Do y'all even care about the lives of Black trans people, much less Black trans women?

Your silence, Texas NAACP tells me otherwise. 

If any memorial services are scheduled, I will pass that info along to you as I receive it.

Number 2- Rest In Power and Peace Ashanti

This is definitely not the way I wanted to spend our tenth anniversary celebration of the Transgender Day of Visibility, but it is a sobering reminder of how our visibility can come with a high price.

It's also something I've been concerned about as we transition out of the colder winter weather into the spring.  When the weather warms up,  the anti-trans violence incidents rise along with the warmer temperatures. 

We travel to the Washington DC area for news concerning the second trans murder of 2019. 

The 20 something year old Ashanti Carmon was found dead after Fairmount Heights police responded to multiple shots fired calls in the area of Aspen and Jost streets around 6:23 AM EDT Saturday morning.

I also had a major problem with the way the report on her death was written by WJLA-TV in DC media.

The area is near the DC-Prince George's County line.   Police arrived at the scene seven minutes later, located Carmon, and pronounced her dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

It was the first murder in Fairmount Heights in five years according to its police chief.  The homicide investigation will be turned over to the Prince George's County Police.

As of yet, no word on a memorial vigil or a funeral, but once I find out that information, I will pass it on to you TransGriot readers once I receive it.   .

And I have to ask once again, especially on this TDOV day, when will our Black trans lives matter to the Black cis community?:

Both the trans people we have lost to anti-trans violence in 2019 have in common they are Black trans feminine people and under age 35.   

Rest in power and peace Ashanti.   May the person who committed this heinous crime be swiftly caught and punished for it.

Number One Of 2019- Rest In Power and Peace Dana Martin

I was wondering as the noise faded in my neighborhood from the fireworks illegally being set off and the idiots firing their guns in the air how long it would take for us to lose the first trans person of the year to anti-trans violence in the US?

I got my answer to the question I posed to myself on New Year's Day.  Six days.

We go to Montgomery, Alabama for our first trans murder of 2019.

I was advised by Daroneshia Duncan Boyd that 31 year old Dana  Martin of Hope Hull, AL was found at 11:30 PM CST after people reported a car crashed into a ditch in the 3900 block of Brewer Road off Selma Highway. 

When Montgomery police arrived at the scene, they discovered Martin dead at the scene from a gunshot would to the head.

And as usual, the local media and MPD initially misgendered her.

Rant moment:  I am beyond sick and tired of the media and local police departments being transphobic azzholes and deliberately misgendering and deadnaming trans people.   They then want to get salty when the trans community calls them on their BS.

MPD put out a statement trying to justify their transphobia and the misgendering of Martin.

“Please note that MPD publicly identified the victim as male as determined by legal documents and forensic evaluation,” said MPD Captain Regina Duckett. “For MPD, how a homicide victim identifies is a personal matter that becomes relevant to our investigation only if it is determined to be a reason the victim was killed.”

Naw Captain Duckett, not today.   It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if you have a person that is dead that has a penis in her panties, the odds are probably 100% you're dealing with a trans feminine person.

it also doesn't detract from your investigation to announce that a trans person has been murdered.  By respecting the person instead of disrespecting them , you increase the chances of solving the crime.

Rant over, back to the business end of this post.

MPD detectives investigating this case believe that Martin was shot in the general vicinity near where the car was found.   They are asking that if you have any info that will lead to the capture and prosecution of the perpetrators of this crime, to call CrimeStopers at 334-215-STOP  (7867), Secret Witness at 334-625-4000 or MPD at 334-625-2831

Rest in power and peace Dana.  You trans family and our accomplices in Alabama and beyond will not rest until justice is served to the satisfaction of everyone who loved you.

Final List Of 2018 Trans Murders

It was probably the bloodiest year ever for Black trans and gender non conforming people in the US, who sadly are far and away the most likely trans people to die, followed by our trans Latina sisters.

We lost 19 Black trans people in 2018.   The youngest was just 18, the oldest at age 58

2018 US Trans Murders

Christa Lee Steele-Knudslien, 47, North Adams, MA
Vickky Gutierrez, 38, Los Angeles, CA
Zakaria Fry, 28,  Albuquerque, NM
Celine Walker, 38,  Jacksonville, FL
Tonya Harvey, 35, Buffalo, NY

Phylicia Mitchell, 45, Cleveland, OH
Amia Tyrae Berryman, 28, Baton Rouge, LA
Sasha Wall, 29, Chesterfield County, SC  
Carla Patricia Flores-Pavon, 26, Dallas, TX
Nino Fortson, 36, Atlanta, GA
Gigi Pierce, 28,  Portland, OR
Antasha English, 38, Jacksonville, FL
Diamond Stephens, 39, Meridian, MS

Catalina Christina James, 24, Jacksonville, FL
Keisha James, 58, Cleveland, OH
Sasha Garden, 27, Orlando, FL
Vontashia Bell, 18, Shreveport, LA
Dejanay Stanton, 24, Chicago, IL
Shantee Tucker, 30, Philadelphia, PA
Londonn Moore Kinard, 20, North Port, FL
Nikki Janelle Enriquez, 28, Laredo, TX
Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier, 31, Chicago, IL
Tydie Dansbury, 37, Baltimore, MD
Keanna Mattel,(Kelly Stough)  35, Detroit, MI
Regina Denise Brown, 53, Orangeburg, SC


2018 Trans Murders Stats Breakdown
Female 24-Male/GNC 1)

By Race
White-3   (3 female-0 male)
Latina-3   (3 female-0 male)
Black -19  (18 female-1 male/GNC)
Asian- 0
Native American- 0

By Age

50+  2
40-49  2

30-39  10
20-29  10
10-19- 1

This is unacceptable.  We need to have in 2019 a conversation followed by SUSTAINED action to reduce the number of Black trans people dying at the hands of Black men. 

And it's past time for Black legacy orgs like the NAACP to step up and lead instead of inactively sitting on the sidelines.   You silence is getting my people killed, and I'm tired of it. 

Frankly, all Black trans people are tired of the spectacle of the oldest civil rights organization in our community, pledged to uplift the lives of Black people, being outdone on this issue by HRC. 

It's pathetically sad that the Human Rights Campaign, which has had a contentious at times relationship with Black trans, bisexual and SGL people,consistently does what the NAACP won't in not only saying our Black trans names, but admitting there's a serious problem. 

This dynamic MUST change in 2019. 

Number 20- Rest In Power and Peace Londonn Moore Kinard

While we're still waiting for confirmation on two possible murders in New York, we have a confirmed one in North Port, FL 

20 year old Londonn Moore Kinard was found face down shot to death at the intersection of Sawyer Circle and Red Oak Road at 7:30 AM EDT Saturday.

And as you probably guessed, Londonn was egregiously misgendered in death by reporter Lauren Coffey, who went out of his way to misgender our fallen sister. 

I'll call out this F+ transphobic 'reporting' and this stenographer later.  In the meantime my priority is getting justice for Londonn and all who loved her.

Step aside, sir and watch how we properly cover a trans murder victim.

Back to business.

North Port PD is still investigating this case and are being tight lipped about many of the details in this case.   They are asking if you do have evidence that will lead to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the killer, you are asked to call Detective Chris Maki at 941-429-7323 

Londonn is now the 20th person we have lost in the US in 2018 to anti trans violence.   She is the 15th African American trans person we have lost this year, and the tenth person under age 30 we have lost.

And we're still trying to confirm if two more found dead last week were homicides.

Yeah, this pattern is getting beyond aggravating.  My young trans siblings die, and get disrespected still further in death. The crap has got to stop.   #StopKillingUs   #BlackTransLivesMatter

Just DON'T Do It!

Stop killing trans women, and especially Black trans women.

Our Black trans lives matter just as much as yours do

Number 19- Rest In Power and Peace Shantee Tucker

It has been another rough year for Black trans women in terms of once again being the ones most likely to be killed due to anti-trans violence. 

I was traveling, and was distressed to hear while waiting for my connecting flight in Phoenix this morning that we added another name to the already too long list of trans people who have been killed in 2018.  We go to Philadelphia. PA  for the nineteenth person we have lost in the person of Shantee Tucker.

According to reporting from Philadelphia magazine, the 30 year old Tucker was found at 1:05 AM EDT by police officers responding to reports of a shooting at 4300 Old York Road.

Upon arrival they found Tucker lying in the highway suffering from a gunshot would to the back. 
She was taken to Temple University Hospital where she succumbed from her injuries.

The initial police investigation revealed that Tucker had a brief argument with a person or persons in a black older model Ford pickup truck.   Gunshots were subsequently fired at Tucker after the verbal confrontation.   That black Ford truck had bonding on it and no tailgate, and the Philadelphia police are looking for the people in that truck. 

If you have any information concerning this latest murder, you are urged to call the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit at 215- 686-3334   or 215-686-TIPS (8477)

Tucker unfortunately is now the 14th African American trans and gender nonconforming person killed due to anti-trans violence in the US in 2018 and the thirteenth Black trans feminine person.

What is even more distressing to me is that this is the third Black trans person we have lost in a week and as I write this, I'm hearing unconfirmed reports that we may have another one in New York..

What is also upsetting to me is that Shantee just recently celebrated her 30th birthday on September 2.

Her Black life mattered.   Her Black trans life mattered.  When are our Black legacy orgs going to stand up and speak out publicly about the slaughter of Black trans women and call for its end?

Still waiting for that public statement from you, NAACP.

As of yet, no word about any vigils planned for Shantee, and if I hear any news about them or I'm notified about it in time, I'll pass that info along.

Rest in power and peace, Shantee.  Your family and all who loved you will not rest until the wastes of DNA who committed this crime are caught, prosecuted and rotting in a jail cell.

#StopKillingUs  #StopKillingBlackTransWomen   Stop killing trans people, period

Number 10- Rest In Power and Peace Nino Fortson

We have lost our first trans masculine person  of 2018 to anti-trans violence in what is turning out to be a deadly week.

36 year old Nino Fortson was shot multiple times during an argument early in the morning of May 13 at the corner of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and Woods Dr NW

As you probably guessed, the initial news report on CBS46 misgendered our brother.

According to the misgendering CBS46 report, Atlanta PD was executing a traffic stop nearby, heard the gunfire and rushed to the scene where the mortally wounded Forston was spotted.   He was taken to the nearby Grady Memorial Hospital where he died from his wounds.

Fortson is the 10th trans person we have lost to anti-trans violence this year, the sixth Black person and the first in Georgia this year   

APD is looking for Fortson's killer.   If you have any information on this case you are urged to call Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477)

If there are any vigils being planned, I'll pass that information along as soon as I receive it.

Rest in power and peace Nino.   You were taken from us far too soon, and we won't rest until the person who killed you is swiftly arrested, convicted and justice is served in your case.

 

Number 15 - Rest In Power and Peace, Ebony Morgan

Here we go again.  We've lost another trans woman to anti-trans violence.

For this latest murder we go to Lynchburg, VA.   The News and Advance of Lynchburg is reporting that   Lynchburg police were called to 303 Riverfront Avenue at 1:07 AM EDT Sunday morning to find 28 year old Ebony Morgan suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

She was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital where she was unfortunately later pronounced dead

Lynchburg PD as of yet is not investigating this as a hate crime, and as of this writing there are no suspects or persons of interest in Morgan's murder.

No information as of yet of any vigils or memorial services being held for Ebony at this time

If you are in the Lynchburg area and have any information in this case that will bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice, you are urged to call Detective A.O. Kittrell at 434-455-6170 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900  

Morgan is now the 15th trans woman killed in 2017, all trans women of color, and the 13th African-American trans woman to die this year.    Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow was Native American and Josie Berrios was Latina.

Rest in power and peace, Ebony.  The community won't rest until the person or persons who killed you are brought to justice.  

Dee Whigham Case Update

This update in the Dee Whigham case is trigger warning worthy because it is going to discuss just how savage her murder was and how the waste of DNA who killed her deserves to be thrown under the jail, or even get lethal injection for it.

Whigham was found dead in her St Martin, MS hotel room on July 23. and the waste of DNA who allegedly killed Whigham was in court on September 12 as Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Leo Allen described what happened from the witness stand.

The waste of DNA I'm talking about is 20 year old Dwayna Hickerson, who was captured on hotel surveillance video walking into the hotel room with Whigham, then leaving alone 23 minutes later.

According to Allen's testimony. the autopsy report revealed that Whigham was stabbed 119 times, with over 100 of those stab wounds to her face.  Her throat was also slashed three times.

Hickerson stole a Coach bag belonging to Whigham along with her cell phone and other personal items. His bloody clothes were found in a dumpster not far from his Keesler Air Force Base barracks, and base surveillance camera captured him throwing a large garbage bag in the trash.

The items stolen from Whigham were found on a beach near Keesler AFB partially burned.

Hickerson has been charged with capital murder in this case, and I will be keeping an eye on developments in it to see if Dee Whigham receives justice.