2 Trans Women Shot, Killed in Their Own Homes on Same Day

Two transgender women in separate states were shot and killed inside their homes on May 4th, as the nation's violence against trans folks continued at a record pace for the year. El Nuevo Georgia reported Sophie Vasquez, 36, a Latinx transgender woman, was shot and killed in her apartment in Brookhaven, Georgia, while WMAR reported Danny Henson, 31, a Black transgender woman, was shot and killed inside her home in Baltimore, Maryland. Like many other transgender victims of violence, Vasquez was misgendered and deadnamed in police reports, while Henson was also misgendered by a friend in the press.

"I'm still emotional, but I'm trying to hold it together," Michael Henson, Danny's brother, told WMAR as he fought back tears.

Police in Baltimore found Henson's body in her home on Williston Street after being called about a unresponsive person in the residence. Family said she had recently begun her transition. No further information was provided, but Michael believes Danny might have been in a fight earlier with someone they knew and might have been involved with more seriously.

Also on the same day, Sophie Vasquez was shot and killed in her apartment in Brookhaven, Georgia. Like in the case of Henson, police released few details about her killing or possible suspects. According to Darlene Darlington Wagner, president of Transgender Day of Remembrance Atlanta, Vasquez was misgendered and deadnamed in the police report. A vigil to honor Vasquez has been organized by Community Estrella for May 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Earlier this month, ballroom legend Jahaira DeAlto, a member of the House of Balenciago, was horrifically killed in Massachusetts. Police say she was one of two women brutally stabbed to death in front of two small children in Dorchester on Sunday, May 2. The children were unharmed, and a dog found stabbed next to DeAlto survived.

2020 was the deadliest year ever for the trans community, with a record 45 violent killings, but 2021 is already on pace to top that number. The previous high was 31 in 2017, but the true number of victims will never be known because many go unreported or are misgendered in death. Trans women of color were disproportionately impacted by the violence.

RELATED | Trans Women Sophie Vasquez and Danny Henson Latest Trans Victims of Deadly Violence