2021

Fatal Violence Against Transgender & Gender-Non-Conforming People

Combined analysis and case-by-case dataset. Data from local news, court records, law enforcement — NOT HRC assessments.
Victim list sourced from: HRC's 2021 Fatal Violence Report

47
Total Victims
Deadliest year on record at time of publication
27
Cases Solved
59% of 46 homicides
19
Unsolved
41% of homicides remain open
72%
Killed by Firearm
34 of 47 victims
Chart 1: Identified Suspects by Race/Ethnicity
Solved homicide cases with identified suspects (excludes police-involved). n=27 solved cases with 31 identified suspects.
Note: Of 31 identified suspects across 27 solved cases, 21 (68%) were Black, 4 (13%) were White, and 4 (13%) were Hispanic/Latino. Two suspects (Damien Marshall in Jenny De Leon's case; Darese Raines in Angel Naira's case) have race unconfirmed in available text sources — mugshot photos and booking records strongly suggest both are Black males, but are excluded from the racial breakdown pending official confirmation. One solved case (Bianca Bankz) involved a murder-suicide where suspect is deceased. One suspect (Kenneth Peden III, Oliver Taylor case) died by suicide in jail before trial.
Chart 2: Victims by Race/Ethnicity
All 47 victims documented in 2021
Note: Black victims comprised 64% (30 of 47). Latina/o victims comprised 21% (10, including 1 Afro-Latina). White victims comprised 11% (5). Asian/Other victims comprised 4% (2: Poe Black and Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, both Native American).
Chart 3: Suspect → Victim Race Pairings (Specific)
Each bar = one specific pairing (e.g. "Black suspect → Black victim"). Green = intraracial, Red = interracial. Only pairings with 1+ cases shown.
Finding: Black-on-Black violence accounted for 17 of 25 solved pairings (68%). Hispanic suspects killing Latina victims accounted for 3 cases (including 1 Afro-Latina victim). White-on-White pairings accounted for 3 cases. Cross-racial pairings were less common: Black suspect→Latina victim (2 cases), White suspect→Asian/Other victim (1).
Chart 4: Solved vs. Unsolved by Victim Race
Racial disparity in case resolution (excludes 1 police-involved killing)
Key disparity: White victim cases had a 60% solve rate (3 of 5). Black victim cases had a 57% solve rate (17 of 30). Latina/o victim cases had a 67% solve rate (6 of 9 homicides, including 1 Afro-Latina). Asian/Other cases: 1 solved, 1 unsolved.
Chart 5: Bias Motive Coding
All 47 victims coded by bias motive evidence
Methodology: Confirmed = hate crime charges or explicit LE statement. Suspected = evidence of animus, no charge (e.g., dating app lure, trans panic indicators, DA statement of probable bias). No Evidence = documented alternative motive (IPV, robbery, familicide, mental illness). Unknown = insufficient info or unsolved with no motive data.
Chart 6: Bias Motive by Suspect Race
Solved cases only — suspects with KNOWN race. No "unknown race" category.
Note: Among Black suspects (21), most cases were coded No Evidence (11) or Unknown (5), with 5 coded Suspected Bias. Among White suspects (4), 3 were No Evidence and 1 Unknown. Among Hispanic suspects (4), 2 were No Evidence, 1 Unknown, and 1 Suspected.
Complete Research Dataset — 2021
Chronological order. Sources are local news and court records. 47 victims documented. Last updated March 2026.
Confirmed Hate crime charges or explicit anti-trans motive from LE
Suspected Bias Evidence of animus, no formal charge
No Evidence Documented non-bias motive
Unknown Insufficient info or unsolved
#Victim NameRaceAgeCity, StateDateCause of DeathCircumstancesPolice-InvolvedBias MotiveSuspect(s)Suspect RaceSuspect GenderSuspect AgeStatusSource
1Tyianna AlexanderBlack28Chicago, IL1/6/2021GunshotDrive-by shooting; victim found at scene; no suspects identified.NoUnknownUnknown (drive-by)———UnsolvedWindy City Times
2Samuel Edmund Damián ValentínLatino21Trujillo Alto, PR1/9/2021Gunshot (multiple)Shot multiple times in Puerto Rico; circumstances unknown; no arrests made.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedThe Advocate
3Bianca "Muffin" BankzBlack30Atlanta, GA1/17/2021GunshotKilled by Moses Allen in a murder-suicide; Allen died at scene. Relationship between victim and suspect unclear.NoNo EvidenceMoses Allen (murder-suicide)BlackMale—ClosedMuckRock FOIA | The Advocate
4Dominique JacksonBlack30Jackson, MS1/25/2021GunshotShot and found at scene; suspect Branden McLaurin arrested approximately one week later.NoUnknownBranden McLaurinBlackMale25SolvedWLBT
5Fifty BandzBlack21Baton Rouge, LA1/28/2021GunshotShot during altercation on McClelland Drive; suspect Michael Joshua Brooks arrested shortly after. Convicted of second-degree murder on May 26, 2023; sentenced June 1, 2023 to life imprisonment without parole plus 10 years concurrent for obstruction of justice. Autopsy revealed 19 gunshot wounds. Louisiana Court of Appeal affirmed both convictions.NoNo EvidenceMichael Joshua BrooksBlackMale20SolvedThe Advocate (BR)
6Alexus "Kimmy Icon" BraxtonBlack45Miami, FL2/4/2021UndisclosedFound dead in Miami-Dade County; cause and circumstances undisclosed; reward offered for information.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedNBC Miami
7Chyna CarrilloLatina24New Wilmington, PA2/18/2021BludgeonedBeaten to death; suspect Juan Carter Hernandez confronted by police at the scene and killed in the encounter.NoUnknownJuan Carter Hernandez (killed at scene by police)HispanicMale33ClosedWKBN
8Jeffrey "JJ" BrightWhite16Ambridge, PA2/22/2021GunshotKilled by mother Krisinda Ann Bright in a familicide driven by apparent mental health crisis. Bright pled guilty December 14, 2021 to two counts of first-degree murder; sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole. DA dropped death penalty as part of plea agreement. Same incident as Jasmine Cannady (#9).NoNo EvidenceKrisinda Ann Bright (mother)WhiteFemale—SolvedLaw & Crime
9Jasmine CannadyWhite22Ambridge, PA2/22/2021GunshotKilled by mother Krisinda Ann Bright in same familicide as Jeffrey Bright (#8); mother called 911 and waited for police. Bright pled guilty and received two consecutive life sentences without parole. Note: Jasmine identified as nonbinary (she/they pronouns); retained in dataset under HRC's transgender umbrella definition.NoNo EvidenceKrisinda Ann Bright (mother)WhiteFemale—SolvedLaw & Crime
10Jenna FranksWhite34Jacksonville, NC2/24/2021Stabbing (multiple)Stabbed multiple times; FBI and local police opened joint hate crime investigation; reward increased to $25,000 as of 2024; case remains unsolved.NoSuspectedUnknown (FBI hate crime investigation)———UnsolvedWITN
11Aidelen EvansBlack24Port Arthur, TX3/2021UndeterminedCause of death undetermined; circumstances largely unknown; mother publicly spoke out to clarify details of her child's life and death.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedFox 4 Beaumont
12Diamond Kyree SandersBlack23Cincinnati, OH3/3/2021GunshotShot in Clifton neighborhood; three suspects indicted September 2021. All convicted via plea deals: Franchez Rivers — involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault, 10–12 years; Christopher Hisle — involuntary manslaughter and weapons charge, minimum 11 years; Kiara Davis — aggravated assault, 2 years. Original murder charges were downgraded.NoNo EvidenceChristopher Hisle, Franchez Rivers, Kiara DavisBlackMale/Male/Female28/33/29SolvedFOX19
13Rayanna PardoLatina26Los Angeles, CA3/17/2021Struck by vehicleStruck and killed by a DUI driver while being actively pursued by a group; driver charged; anti-trans bias suspected given the deliberate pursuit.NoSuspectedDUI driver (charged); group was pursuing victim———UnsolvedThe Advocate
14Jaida PetersonBlack29Charlotte, NC4/4/2021GunshotShot; evidence suggests victim was lured via dating app; suspects Dontarius Long and Joel Brewer charged — same pair responsible for Remy Fennell's killing (#16). Brewer rejected 25–31 year plea deal in April 2025; prosecutors now seek life without parole. Brewer also charged with a third homicide (Joshua Tramaine Allen, Union County). Long released on $500,000 modified bond with electronic monitoring. No federal hate crime charges despite FBI involvement.NoSuspectedDontarius Long, Joel BrewerBlackMale21, 33SolvedWCNC
15Dominique LuciousBlack26Springfield, MO4/8/2021GunshotShot; suspect Charles Nelson charged; anti-trans bias suspected based on evidence presented at trial. Convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action on March 27, 2025. Sentenced July 10, 2025 to 30 years (22 years for murder + 8 years consecutive for armed criminal action). Nelson claimed self-defense, stating he discovered Lucious was transgender; all five bullets entered at downward angles into the couch where victim was found. Motion for new trial denied.NoSuspectedCharles NelsonBlackMale28SolvedSpringfield Daily Citizen
16Remy FennellBlack28Charlotte, NC4/15/2021GunshotShot by suspects Dontarius Long and Joel Brewer — same pair charged in Jaida Peterson's killing (#14) eleven days earlier, suggesting serial anti-trans targeting. Brewer rejected plea deal in April 2025 and faces life without parole at trial. See case #14 for full update.NoSuspectedDontarius Long, Joel BrewerBlackMale21, 33SolvedWCNC
17Jahaira DeAltoLatina42Boston, MA5/2/2021StabbingStabbed by Marcus Chavis in Dorchester; Chavis was a houseguest — husband of another victim in the same incident — not an intimate partner of DeAlto. Motive coded as interpersonal violence with no bias evidence. Chavis held without bail for this murder and a second unrelated homicide.NoNo EvidenceMarcus ChavisBlackMale34SolvedWGBH
18Natalia SmütAfro-Latina24Milpitas, CA4/23/2021Stabbing (multiple)Stabbed multiple times by Elijah Cruz Segura; motive linked to personal/domestic relationship rather than bias. Convicted of murder in October 2024; sentenced January 2025 to 15 years to life. First prosecution of a transgender domestic violence homicide in Santa Clara County history. Not charged as a hate crime.NoNo EvidenceElijah Cruz SeguraHispanicMale22SolvedKQED
19Iris SantosLatina22Houston, TX4/23/2021GunshotShot near a fast-food restaurant; found at scene; HPD released suspect trajectory map in 2023 pleading for information; no suspects identified; case remains open.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedABC 13
20Tiara BanksBlack24Chicago, IL4/21/2021Gunshot (multiple)Shot multiple times in West Pullman neighborhood alongside another victim in separate shootings; no suspects identified.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedThe Advocate
21Tiffany ThomasBlack38Dallas, TX4/24/2021GunshotShot in Dallas; found at scene; no suspects identified; case remains unsolved.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedPgh Lesbian Correspondents
22Krys Brandon RuizLatino26Lompoc, CA3/28/2021Gunshot (by police)Shot and killed by Lompoc Police officers after calling 911 himself and charging at officers with a knife while wearing a clown mask. Santa Barbara County DA ruled the death a "suicide by cop" in September 2021, citing a suicide note reading "I hope my death makes more sense than my life." Officers were cleared of wrongdoing. Classified as police-involved killing.Yes—Law enforcement officers———ClosedSanta Barbara Independent
23Keri WashingtonBlack49Clearwater, FL5/1/2021Blunt force (head trauma)Beaten to death by intimate partner Arthur Benjamin Jr. (also known as Hadeeka Shabazz); motive documented as intimate partner violence. Benjamin sentenced in September 2023 to life in prison after confessing to killing Washington during a domestic dispute. They had been in a relationship for 15 years.NoNo EvidenceArthur Benjamin Jr. (Hadeeka Shabazz)BlackMale—SolvedTampa Bay Times
24Thomas HardinBlack35York, SC5/2/2021GunshotShot during fugitive Tyler Terry's multi-state killing spree. Both Terry and accomplice Adrienne Simpson pled guilty on November 2, 2022 and were sentenced to life without parole. Terry was linked to five total homicides across three states (SC, MO, TN) and also pled guilty in Missouri. Note: Hardin was a transgender woman — initially misclassified as a trans man in some sources.NoNo EvidenceTyler Terry, Adrienne SimpsonBlackMale/Female26/—SolvedWSOC-TV
25Whispering Wind Bear SpiritNative American41York, PA5/3/2021GunshotShot during an armed robbery of marijuana; six suspects charged. All pled guilty between 2022–2023: Nicholas Strada (shooter) — third-degree murder, 12–25 years; Ryan Strada — conspiracy to commit robbery, 10–20 years; Oscar Cook — robbery and conspiracy, approximately 1–2 years plus 3 years probation; Michael Stewart — misdemeanor plea, 5 years probation; Phillip Sullivan — misdemeanor plea, 5 years probation; Jaden Landis also pled guilty.NoNo EvidenceRyan Strada, Nicholas Strada + 4 othersWhiteMale20, 17SolvedYork Dispatch
26Sophie VásquezLatina36Brookhaven, GA5/4/2021Gunshot (multiple)Shot multiple times in her apartment; suspect Pedro Silva-Renteria (17 at time of crime) fled to Texas before being apprehended. Convicted by DeKalb County jury on October 10, 2024 of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and firearm possession. Defense attempted a "trans panic" argument; prosecutors showed social media proving victim had disclosed her trans identity to him. Malice murder carries mandatory life imprisonment in Georgia.NoUnknownPedro Silva-RenteriaHispanicMale17SolvedFox 5 Atlanta
27Danika "Danny" HensonBlack31Baltimore, MD5/4/2021GunshotShot in the 5100 block in Baltimore; suspects Cadeem Green and Daqwan Sawyer (both 23) arrested within weeks.NoUnknownCadeem Green, Daqwan SawyerBlackMale23, 23SolvedBaltimore Sun
28Serenity HollisBlack24Albany, GA5/8/2021GunshotShot in Albany; local DA publicly stated the killing was a probable hate crime but no hate crime charges were filed; case remains unsolved.NoSuspectedUnknown (DA stated probable hate crime)———UnsolvedWALB
29Poe BlackNative American21Niland, CA5/11/2021StabbingStabbed in Slab City, an unincorporated off-grid desert community; no suspects identified; case remains unsolved.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedCalexico Chronicle
30Cris BleharWhite65Flaherty, KY5/19/2021Stabbed & ShotStabbed and shot by suspect Tyler Petty (18), who reportedly admitted to the killing; bias motive insufficient to determine; case solved.NoUnknownTyler PettyWhiteMale18SolvedThe News-Enterprise
31Oliver "Ollie" TaylorWhite17Gervais, OR5/19/2021GunshotKidnapped on May 12, 2021 and killed by Kenneth William Peden III (20); died May 19. Suspect engaged police in a subsequent shootout; charged with murder. Peden died by suicide on September 22, 2021 in the Marion County Jail; all charges were dropped and the criminal case was dismissed.NoNo EvidenceKenneth William Peden III (deceased)WhiteMale20ClosedThe Oregonian
32Tierramarie LewisBlack36Cleveland, OH6/12/2021GunshotShot in Cleveland; suspect Duane Lunsford (25) indicted. Lunsford pled guilty in late August 2022 to involuntary manslaughter (reduced from aggravated murder), felonious assault, and gun charges. Sentenced October 3, 2022 to at least 18 years. Notably, no one in the courtroom mentioned the victim by name during sentencing.NoUnknownDuane LunsfordBlackMale25SolvedWKYC
33EJ BoykinBlack23Lynchburg, VA6/14/2021GunshotShot in Lynchburg; police initially stated no evidence of a hate crime. Markeem Devante Dance (23) arrested January 24, 2023 and charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was already in custody on unrelated charges. Preliminary hearing held May 2023 with eight witnesses; pre-trial hearing September 2023 resulted in continuance. Dance pled guilty on February 20, 2026.NoUnknownMarkeem Devante DanceBlackMale23SolvedWFXRtv
34Rubi DominguezLatina29Arlington, TX7/16/2021Hit and runStruck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Arlington; driver fled the scene and was never identified; case remains unsolved. Note: Police treated this as a traffic crash; retained in dataset per HRC listing with annotation.NoUnknownUnknown driver———UnsolvedThe Advocate
35Taya AshtonBlack20Suitland, MD7/17/2021GunshotFound shot in her apartment in Prince George's County; suspect DeAllen Davonta Price (27) charged. Price pled guilty October 2023 to second-degree murder and use of a firearm. Sentenced January 10, 2024 to 60 years with all but 48 years suspended (effectively 48 years). At sentencing, Price admitted his motive was discovering Ashton was transgender during their intimate relationship.NoSuspectedDeAllen Davonta PriceBlackMale27SolvedWashington Blade
36Shai VanderpumpBlack23Trenton, NJ7/30/2021GunshotShot in Trenton; victim was a known trans activist in the community; suspect Daniel L. Smith (36) charged with murder.NoUnknownDaniel L. SmithBlackMale36SolvedThe Trentonian
37Miss CoCoBlack44Dallas, TX8/7/2021GunshotShot and killed at a homeless encampment in Dallas; no suspects identified; case remains unsolved.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedDallas Voice
38Pooh JohnsonBlack25Shreveport, LA8/23/2021UndisclosedFound dead in Shreveport; cause and circumstances undisclosed by police; no suspects identified; case remains unsolved.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedKTBS
39Disaya MonaeeBlack27Dolton, IL9/6/2021GunshotShot in Dolton, Illinois (south suburb of Chicago); found at scene; no suspects identified; case remains unsolved.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedBlock Club Chicago
40Briana HamiltonBlack25Chicago, IL9/17/2021GunshotShot on Chicago's South Side; family and friends mourned publicly; no suspects identified; case remains unsolved.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedBlock Club Chicago
41Kiér Laprí Kartier (Kier Solomon)Black21Arlington, TX9/30/2021GunshotShot in Arlington; suspect Arthur Morris Jr. (25) arrested in October 2025 — over four years after the killing. Morris was already in TDCJ custody serving 7 years for unrelated aggravated robbery. Detectives linked him via app data, email, and cell phone records. Also charged with aggravated robbery for a similar incident at the same location two weeks prior. Anti-trans bias suspected based on evidence.NoSuspectedArthur Morris Jr.BlackMale25SolvedWFAA
42Mel GrovesBlack25Jackson, MS10/11/2021Gunshot (multiple)Shot multiple times in Jackson; remembered by friends as a generous trans man (he/him); no suspects identified; case remains unsolved.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedNBC News
43Keeva ScatterBlack34Baton Rouge, LA10/15/2021GunshotShot in Baton Rouge; minimal case details made public; no suspects identified; case remains unsolved.NoUnknownUnknown———UnsolvedThe Advocate
44Marquiisha LawrenceBlack28Greenville, SC11/4/2021GunshotShot during a robbery inside her own home; suspect Decorey Dashawn Massey (17) charged with murder and robbery; motive was robbery, not bias.NoNo EvidenceDecorey Dashawn MasseyBlackMale17SolvedPost & Courier
45Jenny De LeonLatina25Tampa, FL11/2/2021Stabbing (multiple)Found dead in Sulphur Springs neighborhood; medical examiner determined cause of death as multiple stab wounds to jugular and carotid arteries — originally reported as gunshot. Damien Marshall (40), a registered sex offender, charged with first-degree murder in March 2022 after facial recognition, DNA evidence, and witness testimony linked him to the scene. Hillsborough State Attorney is seeking the death penalty. Witness testimony and use of racial epithet "Cracker" toward a bystander strongly suggest Marshall is a Black male — confirm via FDLE registry or Hillsborough County booking records.NoUnknownDamien MarshallBlack*Male40SolvedTampa Bay Times
46Angel NairaBlack36Aliquippa, PA11/11/2021Gunshot (multiple)Found dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the face and neck in her Linmar Terrace apartment. Darese Raines (46) arrested February 2023 after DNA, surveillance footage, and phone records linked him to the scene. Convicted of first-degree murder by a Beaver County jury in October 2024. No hate crime charges filed; DA stated no clear bias motive was proven. Mugshot photos published by WPXI and CBS Pittsburgh strongly suggest Raines is a Black male — confirm via PA Unified Judicial System portal or PA DOC inmate locator.NoUnknownDarese RainesBlack*Male46SolvedQBurgh
47Danyale ThompsonBlack35Memphis, TN11/6/2021GunshotShot by an unknown male in Memphis on November 6–7, 2021; circumstances unknown beyond initial reports; no arrest made; case remains unsolved. Note: Some sources use surname "Johnson" rather than "Thompson."NoUnknownUnknown male———UnsolvedThe Advocate
Methodology: Victim list from HRC's 2021 Fatal Violence Report (47 victims at publication). All case details independently verified via local news and court records. HRC assessments not used for bias motive, suspect info, or case status. Unsolved cases searched for updates through February 2026 (e.g., Kiér Laprí Kartier's suspect arrested October 2025; EJ Boykin's suspect arrested January 2023). Police-involved killing (Krys Brandon Ruiz) excluded from solve rates and suspect demographics. Bright/Cannady familicide coded "No Evidence" per mother's mental health crisis — not bias-motivated. Bias coding follows strict evidentiary standard: Confirmed requires hate crime charges; Suspected requires documented animus evidence; No Evidence requires documented alternative motive; Unknown for insufficient information. Suspect race marked with asterisk (*) indicates strong circumstantial evidence (mugshot photos, witness statements) but not yet confirmed via official booking records — author should verify via FDLE or PA DOC databases.
Key updates since initial compilation: Date corrections applied to Cases 17 (4/23→5/2), 20 (4/24→4/21), 22 (4/2021→3/28/2021), and 40 (9/20→9/17). Case 22 (Krys Ruiz) location specified as Lompoc, CA; DA ruled "suicide by cop." Case 31 (Oliver Taylor) reclassified as Closed after suspect Peden III died by suicide in jail. Case 33 (EJ Boykin) reclassified from Unsolved to Solved after arrest of Markeem Dance in January 2023. Convictions and sentencing details added for Cases 5, 8/9, 12, 15, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 32, and 35. Source links updated where newer/more comprehensive coverage available. March 2026 corrections: Thomas Hardin reclassified as trans woman (age 35); Jasmine Cannady annotated nonbinary (she/they); Natalia Smüt race corrected to Afro-Latina; Jahaira DeAlto/Chavis relationship corrected (houseguest, not intimate partner); Bianca Bankz/Allen relationship changed to unclear; Disaya Monaee age (27) and location (Dolton, IL) corrected; Mel Groves annotated as trans man (he/him); Danyale Thompson date corrected (Nov 6–7); Tierramarie Lewis age added (36); Rubi Dominguez age added (29); Oliver Taylor dates corrected (kidnapped May 12, died May 19); EJ Boykin suspect Dance pled guilty Feb 20, 2026; Sophie Vásquez suspect age corrected (17 at crime); Bear Spirit co-defendant sentences corrected; Danika Henson location specified (5100 block). Chart data updated for Smüt reclassification.
Fatal Violence Against Transgender People, 2021 · From local news and court records · Last updated March 2026