Violence and Homicides Against Transgender People

Developing StoryLast updated APR 19
SUMMARY

Davonta Curtis, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman, was found deceased in her Chicago apartment on April 8, 2026, after suffering a fatal beating; a man known to Curtis has been apprehended and faces charges of first-degree murder. As of April 8, 2026, violence against transgender individuals continues, with a Seattle man sentenced to seven years in prison in March 2026 for a hate crime assault involving transgender victims, amidst a 45% rise in anti-transgender legislation in 2025. Genocide scholars in January 2026 expressed alarm that the U.S. may be in the early stages of genocide against transgender, nonbinary, and intersex Americans due to escalating attacks. The Williams Institute reported in December 2025 that hate crimes targeting transgender and gender nonconforming people tripled in California between 2013 and 2024, with at least 399 cases of fatal violence against transgender people since 2013, 82.3% targeting transgender women and 71.2% involving firearms. Globally, 281 transgender and gender diverse people were murdered between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, with 31 cases in the United States.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Davonta Curtis, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman, was found deceased in her Chicago apartment on April 8, 2026, after suffering a fatal beating.

    Davonta Curtis, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman, was found deceased in her Chicago apartment on April 8, 2026, after suffering a fatal beating. A man known to Curtis has been apprehended and faces charges of first-degree murder and possession of a stolen vehicle.

  2. A Seattle man was sentenced to seven years in prison in March 2026 for a hate crime assault and another assault involving transgender victims.

    A Seattle man was sentenced to seven years in prison in March 2026 for a hate crime assault and another assault involving transgender victims. This sentencing occurred amidst a 45% rise in anti-transgender legislation in 2025 compared to 2024.

January 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Daquan 'Dream' Johnson, a 28-year-old transgender woman, was fatally shot in July 2025 in Northeast Washington, and a suspect was later arrested in connection with her murder.

    Daquan 'Dream' Johnson, a 28-year-old transgender woman, was fatally shot in July 2025 in Northeast Washington, and a suspect was later arrested in connection with her murder.

  2. Honee, a 37-year-old Black trans woman, was killed in a hit-and-run incident.

    Honee, a 37-year-old Black trans woman, was killed in a hit-and-run incident.

  3. Genocide scholars have expressed alarm that the U.

    Genocide scholars have expressed alarm that the U.S. may be in the early stages of genocide against transgender, nonbinary, and intersex Americans due to escalating attacks. This warning highlights a new perspective on the increasing violence targeting these communities.

December 2025 — 1 developments

  1. The Williams Institute publishes a study finding that hate crimes targeting transgender and gender nonconforming people tripled in California between 2013 and 2024.

    The Williams Institute publishes a study finding that hate crimes targeting transgender and gender nonconforming people tripled in California between 2013 and 2024.

November 2025 — 6 developments

  1. In the past year, at least 27 transgender individuals have been murdered in the U.

    In the past year, at least 27 transgender individuals have been murdered in the U.S., according to updated reports. Since 2013, there have been at least 399 cases of fatal violence against transgender people, with 82.3% targeting transgender women and seven in ten victims being Black. Firearms were used in 71.2% of these deaths.

  2. As of November 20, 2025, 46 transgender individuals have been reported murdered in the United States, according to the tdor.

    As of November 20, 2025, 46 transgender individuals have been reported murdered in the United States, according to the tdor.translivesmatter.info project.

  3. The Trans Murder Monitoring (TMM) 2025 report indicates a new trend in anti-trans violence, with act…

    The Trans Murder Monitoring (TMM) 2025 report indicates a new trend in anti-trans violence, with activists and movement leaders now being the second most targeted group by occupation at 14% of cases. Globally, the report documented 281 murders of transgender and gender diverse people between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, a decrease from the previous year. The United States recorded 31 cases during this period.

  4. The 2025 Trans Murder Monitoring report indicates that 281 trans and gender diverse people were murdered globally between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

    The 2025 Trans Murder Monitoring report indicates that 281 trans and gender diverse people were murdered globally between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Of these, 31 were reported in the United States, a decrease from 41 in the previous year. Sex workers continue to be the most targeted group.

  5. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2025 report identifies at least 399 known cases of fatal violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people in the U.

    The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2025 report identifies at least 399 known cases of fatal violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people in the U.S. since 2013. As of November 17, 2025, Maurice Harrison was identified as the 27th known case of fatal violence in 2025.

  6. A4TE releases its 2025 Trans Day of Remembrance Report, honoring 58 known trans people who died since November 2024, with 27 attributed to violence and 21 to suicide.

    A4TE releases its 2025 Trans Day of Remembrance Report, honoring 58 known trans people who died since November 2024, with 27 attributed to violence and 21 to suicide.

September 2025 — 2 developments

  1. In September 2025, architects of the Project 2025 agenda, including the Heritage Foundation, propose…

    In September 2025, architects of the Project 2025 agenda, including the Heritage Foundation, proposed that the federal government classify transgender individuals and their allies as terrorists. They urged the FBI to create a new designation called 'Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violent Extremism'.

  2. The alleged killer of Dacoin 'Dream' Johnson, a 28-year-old transgender woman murdered in July 2025, has been charged with first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement.

    The alleged killer of Dacoin 'Dream' Johnson, a 28-year-old transgender woman murdered in July 2025, has been charged with first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement. Johnson's family expressed relief, viewing the charge as accountability for hate-motivated violence. The suspect, Edgar Arrington, reportedly harassed Johnson before shooting her.

July 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Blaque/OUT Magazine reported that at least 11 transgender people have been murdered in the United States in 2025, with 10 of these victims being Black Transgender women.

    Blaque/OUT Magazine reported that at least 11 transgender people have been murdered in the United States in 2025, with 10 of these victims being Black Transgender women. The report highlighted individual cases that occurred between April and July 2025.

May 2025 — 1 developments

  1. GLAAD's ALERT Desk report, covering May 1, 2024, to May 1, 2025, tracks 932 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the US, resulting in 84 injuries and 10 deaths.

    GLAAD's ALERT Desk report, covering May 1, 2024, to May 1, 2025, tracks 932 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the US, resulting in 84 injuries and 10 deaths. 52% of these incidents targeted transgender and gender non-conforming people.

December 2024 — 1 developments

  1. In 2024, at least 31 transgender and gender-nonconforming Americans were victims of fatal violence, with the majority being transgender women of color.

    In 2024, at least 31 transgender and gender-nonconforming Americans were victims of fatal violence, with the majority being transgender women of color. The report highlights individual cases such as Kitty Monroe, a 43-year-old transgender Latina killed on January 1 in Phoenix, and Sasha Williams, a trans woman of color stabbed to death. This number is considered an undercount due to inconsistent reporting and data collection on anti-transgender violence.

November 2024 — 4 developments

  1. Human Rights Watch acknowledges Trans Day of Remembrance, referencing the Trans Murder Monitoring Pr…

    Human Rights Watch acknowledges Trans Day of Remembrance, referencing the Trans Murder Monitoring Project's 2024 data which documented at least 350 transgender and gender-diverse people murdered over the past year (Oct 2023 - Sep 2024), including 13 activists.

  2. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation reported at least 36 transgender and gender non-conforming people were killed in the U.

    The Human Rights Campaign Foundation reported at least 36 transgender and gender non-conforming people were killed in the U.S. between November 21, 2023, and November 20, 2024, bringing the total to 372 since 2013. Black transgender women were disproportionately affected, comprising nearly half of the deaths in the past year. New data from Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund indicated 35 homicides of transgender or gender-expansive people in 2023, with 80% involving a gun, and 44% occurring in the Southern United States.

  3. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recorded at least 36 deaths of transgender and gender-expansive indi…

    The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recorded at least 36 deaths of transgender and gender-expansive individuals due to fatal violence in the 12 months leading up to November 20, 2024, a slight increase from the previous year. In this period, 75% of victims were people of color, 77.8% were transgender women, and firearms were used in two-thirds of fatalities.

  4. The Trans Murder Monitoring Report recorded 350 transgender homicides globally between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, a significant increase from the previous year.

    The Trans Murder Monitoring Report recorded 350 transgender homicides globally between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. In the United States, advocates documented 27 violent deaths and 21 suicides of transgender people in the past year, with Black transgender women disproportionately targeted.

March 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Anti-transgender hate crimes have reached historic highs, with a notable spike in Los Angeles County in 2022, prompting calls for a public health emergency.

    Anti-transgender hate crimes have reached historic highs, with a notable spike in Los Angeles County in 2022, prompting calls for a public health emergency. In 2023, 80% of homicides involving transgender people in the US were committed with a gun, with Black transgender women disproportionately affected.

February 2024 — 1 developments

  1. A report from Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund indicates 35 homicides of transgender or gender-expansive people in 2023, with 80% involving firearms.

    A report from Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund indicates 35 homicides of transgender or gender-expansive people in 2023, with 80% involving firearms. Between 2017 and 2023, 263 such homicides were recorded, with Black transgender women disproportionately affected. A separate report from the National Center for Transgender Equality noted 53 transgender deaths in the past year, coinciding with a rise in anti-trans legislation and a 32.9% increase in gender identity-based hate crimes.