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The woman, so far identified only by the first name Tydie, was shot to death on a Baltimore street last week.
A black transgender woman was shot to death in Baltimore last week, making her the 23rd known transgender homicide victim in the U.S. this year, most of them women of color.
The woman has so far been identified only by her first name, Tydie. She was found on a Baltimore street about 4:15 a.m. on November 26 after neighbors called the police to report a shooting. She was pronounced dead at a hospital soon afterward, The Baltimore Sun reports.
Police are asking the public for help in the investigation. "At this time we don't have a lot to go on," Baltimore police spokesman T.J. Smith said in a video interview posted by the Sun. "We know there was some sort of argument that took place and during that argument, it looks like a person - one individual - pulled out a gun and shot the female and left her on the side of the road." A dark-colored vehicle was seen leaving the area, he added.
The police department was withholding the victim's name pending notification of her family, but a Baltimore Transgender Alliance Facebook post gave her first name as Tydie. The group held a community vigil for her Friday.
"This is a tragedy beyond words or understanding. Our community is heartbroken," said Baltimore trans activist Merrick Moses, as quoted in a Human Rights Campaign blog post. "As we enter this holiday season and so many of us have struggles with our families of origin, this especially cuts deep, because our community is our family -- chosen family. We mourn along with her loved ones."
Smith said police have informed the department's LGBT Advisory Council about the murder and would be consulting with transgender activist groups. He asked that anyone with information about the crime call (410) 396-2199 or text (443) 902-4824.
