Police Searching for Killer of Transgender Woman
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In searching for a killer, Baltimore City police are asking for information in a violent shooting that left a transgender woman dead.
The victim is Crystal Edmonds, 32. Police tell WJZ while they are aware the transgender community is sometimes targeted, it is still too early in the investigation to say whether this was a hate crime.
Police say it all went down early Friday morning in the 3600 of Fairview Avenue. Officers arriving on scene to find 32 year old Crystal Edmonds, a transgender woman, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of head. She was taken to a local hospital where she later died.
Baltimore City Police are on the ground searching for answers, stopping and talking to anyone that may have answers after the violent shooting.
"I heard a couple gun shots but I didn't know this was taking place," said one area resident.
Police now working to find a gunman and motive.
"The transgender community sometimes is a vulnerable community and sometimes targeted, sometimes unnecessarily by people. We're not saying that this is the reason for this incident, but it is something that we need to put on the radar," said T.J. Smith. with Baltimore City Police.
Residents have also complained about prostitution and other crime in the neighborhood, which are also now a part of the investigation.
People in Baltimore's transgender community tells WJZ they are heartbroken by the loss. One group, GLBT Hearts and Ears is offering grief counseling.
"There have been lines of communication that have been open that wasn't open before. We're moving forward definitely in the right direction," said Baltimore City Police LGBT Liaison Sgt. Kevin Bailey.
WJZ reached out the Baltimore Transgender Alliance, but they were not available for comment.
According to advocacy group GLAAD, Edmonds is the 21st transgender person killed this year.
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