It was hard writing the post yesterday about a Transgender Woman Killed In New Orleans, Days After Similar Chicago Death. I felt bad for the loved ones of Chyna Doll Dupree, but also the Transgender community and New Orleans itself. Now, just two days after Chyna was shot, another transgender woman in New Orleans loses her life at the hands of someone else. Police are saying that they believe there is no connection between the two killings.
Officers responded to the stabbing scene Monday near the intersection of North Claiborne Avenue and Columbus Street just before 9 a.m. They found the woman suffering from several knife wounds. She was taken to a local hospital where she later died died from her injuries, according to a preliminary police report.
Witnesses told police they saw a man get out of a black car, possibly a Camaro, in the 1700 block of Columbus Street. The driver got something out of the trunk, walked to the passenger side of the vehicle, stabbed the victim, then removed her from the car, police said. The suspect got back into the vehicle and drove away.
The witness who identified the victim and said he's known her for several years, told The Times-Picayune he saw the Camaro pull up to a stop at the corner. He saw the driver arguing with the victim, who was in the passenger seat. At some point the driver reached across her and opened the passenger side door, after which the driver got out of the vehicle, the witness said.
"Dude came around to the passenger side and I see a knife in his hand. I'm thinking he's about to stab (the victim) but, apparently, he already stabbed (the victim) in the car," said the witness who asked to remain anonymous out of concern for his safety. "Then he pulled (the victim) out by (the victim's) head and slammed (the victim's) face to the ground. Then he pulled off."
The woman never moved and once police rolled her over, the witness saw that it was his acquaintance. It looked like she had been stabbed in the shoulder, chest and side near the lungs, the witness said. – nola.com
It makes me think of a previous blog I posted, Australian Cliffs May Be Scene Of Multiple Gang Related Hate Crimes From '80s & '90s where police now suspect unsolved murder cases may involve gang members killing gay men as somewhat of a sport or initiation.
We are all vulnerable to hate. We all need to watch out for each other.
Our thoughts are with the transgender community and the families and friends of the sisters we are losing at an alarming rate.
h/t: nola.com