Amber Monroe, a Black transgender woman was found dead in Detroit on Saturday. She is the 12th transgender person killed in the United States this year.
Monroe, a 20-year-old Wayne State University student, died after an apparent shooting, police told Fox2Detroit. Detroit Police are currently investigating the homicide.
Monroe's friend and transgender rights activist Julisa Abad told Fox2Detroit that this was not Monroe's first encounter with violence. "She's been shot 2 or 3 times. But this time she didn't make it," Abad said.
Yvonne Siferd, Director of Victim Services for Equality Michigan, released a statement saying:
“Our hearts are heavy with grief that we have lost another vibrant member of our community too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Amber’s family and friends whom she clearly loved deeply.We have no idea yet whether this attack was fueled by transphobia, but we do know that Amber’s murder is the 12th murder of a transgender woman in the United States this year, and the 10th murder of a transgender woman of color. Transgender women, and especially transgender women of color, are disproportionately affected by violence. Her life was just beginning; I know that this loss will leave so many people with a hole in their lives and with more questions than answers. Let’s come together to celebrate her life, and work for real change so that our transgender sisters can be free from persecution. I know we can do better. We have to do better.”
Many activists shared their outrage over the death of Monroe via social media, including Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox.
