WASHINGTON, DC – D.C. police are looking for the general public’s assist in fixing the deadly taking pictures of Daquane “Dream” Johnson, a 28-year-old transgender girl who was gunned down on Saturday, July 5, within the 2000 block of Benning Highway NE.
What we all know:
Officers had been flagged down round 12:51 a.m. and located Johnson unconscious, affected by gunshot wounds. She was transported to a neighborhood hospital, the place she was pronounced useless.
The police division’s official assertion didn’t acknowledge Johnson’s gender identification or record the incident as a suspected hate crime. Nonetheless, relations and longtime LGBTQ+ activists have confirmed to the Washington Blade that Johnson was a transgender girl, identified to buddies and family members as Dream.
Johnson’s aunt, Vanna Terrell, informed the Blade that Johnson had deliberate to legally change her title however hadn’t gotten round to it.
In keeping with Terrell, two teenage witnesses informed a pal that they noticed three males strategy Johnson and shout a slur earlier than one opened hearth, persevering with to shoot till the weapon was emptied. The witnesses reportedly acknowledged Johnson as she walked alongside Benning Highway.
Each Terrell and native advocate Earline Budd consider the character of the assault factors to a hate crime.
Budd described the variety of pictures fired as “overkill”, and additional suggests they might be inductive of a hate crime.
D.C. police stated that, as of now, the investigation has not uncovered proof indicating the killing was motivated by hate or bias, and that they’re nonetheless gathering data.
D.C. Murder Detective Natasha Kennedy is main the case. Anybody with ideas is inspired to name her instantly at 202-380-6198.
A memorial for Dream Johnson is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, at River Terrace Park, situated at 500 thirty sixth Road NE. Household, buddies, and members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood plan to honor her life and name for justice.
A $25,000 reward is being supplied for data resulting in an arrest and conviction.
The Supply: Info on this story comes from the Washington Blade.
