ftmichael: - at Old Sturbridge Village, 03 July 2008.  Copyright 2008-2009. (Default)
ftmichael ([personal profile] ftmichael) wrote in [community profile] trans2009-08-26 08:39 pm
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US, DC: Trans women stabbed

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/082609_q_street_double_stabbing

Q Street Double Stabbing Leaves 1 Dead
Two transgender women stabbed in broad daylight
* By ROBY CHAVEZ/myfoxdc
Updated: Wednesday, 26 Aug 2009, 11:27 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 26 Aug 2009, 3:59 PM EDT

WASHINGTON, DC - DC Police say a double stabbing in broad daylight left one person dead and another injured in Northwest Washington on Wednesday.

Police say two people were stabbed in the 200 block of Q Street Northwest around 2:30 p.m. Officers found two transgender women in front of the building when they arrived. One of those victims later died at a hospital, while another is wounded but in stable condition.

The crime scene was an alarming sight for residents who live on Q Street. One neighbor told FOX 5 they saw the two victims running from their attacker, and that one of them collapsed on the sidewalk. That victim later died.

"He said he couldn't breathe, 'I can't breathe,'" said Frenzell Alexander, a neighbor. "He came down 4th street and was gasping for breath and was bleeding from his neck."

Late Wednesday, police announced that 21-year-old Joshua Mack of Clinton, Maryland was pronounced dead at Howard University Hospital just after 3 p.m. The second victim was taken to a local hospital and admitted in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries. Police are withholding the identity of the second victim, who was a witness to the murder.

DC Police say the attacker is an unknown man in his early 30s. He was last seen wearing all black and running in the opposite direction on Q Street.

Neighbors say the street is normally a quiet one.

"It's still so unusual," said Michael Nine. "I've been here for 30 years. We've had our share of crime. Over the last 5 to 6 years, it's gotten much better."

"Any crime is dismaying," said Peter Katel, another resident. "I learned one person was killed. It was even more dismaying. This is the first time, I've lived here 7 years and the first time I've come home to this kind of scene."

Police don't know if gender played a role in the murder and stabbing, but the crime did take place two blocks from an agency that provides services to transgender people, including transgender youth.

"I'm a transgendered woman, too," said Warrena Earls, another resident. "I know a lot of people in this city. I'm born and raised on Q Street. Nothing like this ever happened."

Regardless of the victims' gender, the violent, daytime crime is alarming to all. Police and residents hope that those who have information will come forward to protect the neighborhood.

"When neighbors are involved in the neighborhood, it always makes it much safer," said Nine. "It's key. Police can only do so much."

Investigators are asking for any information from anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the stabbing.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at 1202 727 9099 or 1888 919 CRIM [E] (1888 919 2746). The Metropolitan Police Department is currently offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Anonymous information may also be forwarded to DC Crime Solvers at 1866 411 TIPS and to the departments TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by a caller to Crime Solvers leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

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