As you may recall, July 20 was the day that Lashai Mclean was shot and killed in the 6100 block of Dix Street, NE in Washington, DC (and yes, the media are still referring to Lashai by her male birth name). Suspects are two young black men who have yet to be identified.
Mclean and a witness were in the block when two suspects walked directly towards them. One started asking a question, and without provocation pulled a semi-automatic handgun and fired, killing Mclean.
The suspects are described as two black males in their late teens to early 20s. The first suspect is described as being 6-feet-tall with a thin build and light complexion. The shooter is described as being shorter and having a darker complexion than the other suspect. The case is being investigated by the Homicide Branch.
--Link
On July 31 Tonya Harrell was approached in the 6200 block of Dix Street NE by "a black male, 17-19 years old, 5'6", 180 lbs, dark complexion".
The suspect asked for change and without waiting for a reply pulled a semi-automatic handgun and shot at the victim, without hitting the victim.
Once is chance. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a pattern.
Except the cops aren't waiting for the third time.
Due to the similarities of the victims' sexual self-identification, M.O. (presumably of the perpetrator), locations, and lookout for suspects, the cases are being investigated as a potential emerging pattern.
When I heard what occurred, to me it kind of seems like an identical situation. The facts where two people approach a transgender woman, in this case around 3 a.m., we do not know what words were said [to Mclean]; this one … approached Tanya and said 'give me change,' when she walked away one yelled at her and shoots at her.
--MPD Deputy Chief Diane Groomes
Reportedly patrols will now be "enhanced" in the area where the shootings occurred. This area is known as a popular gathering area for transfolk. As such, it would not surprise me to discover that the enhanced patrols will result in increased criminalization of the transpeople.
But that may just be the cynic in me. I hate to wonder how it could be worse if transpeople did not have the protections that the nation's capitol provides us.