As the US celebrates our 250th anniversary, a 38 year old Black Trans Woman Dies By Gun Violence in Baltimore. – Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

As the US celebrates our 250th anniversary, a 38 year old Black Trans Woman Dies By Gun Violence in Baltimore. – Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

Asia Williams via Facebook A 38-year-old Black trans woman was shot to death in Baltimore on June 23, 2026. Her name was Asia Williams. The Crime On June 23 around 10:49 p.m., officers were called to Mega Tobacco & Convenience, located at 5211 York Road, for a reported shooting, according to authorities. There, officers found a 38-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. Apparently, a third party – an unidentified Black man wearing a neon yellow vest entered the store, pulled out a gun, and shot. There is no information on his motive, if he knew the victims, or if the victims are connected. You can find more details at this YouTube link. Both were transported to a hospital where the woman, Asia Williams, was pronounced dead. The male victim is expected to survive. Police have no indicated Asia was targeted, but we won’t know more until they are further in the investigation. To remain anonymous, submit a tip on the P3 Tips mobile app, call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP or visit the MCS of Maryland website. If your tip results in felony charges and an arrest, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $8,000. Honoring Asia Asia recently celebrated her birthday on June 14. She was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Asia was close with many of her family members, posting often about their gatherings and accomplishments. She graduated from Northern High School in 2005. Her socials show her fashion sense, especially her nail art, as well as her appreciation for ‘good Southern soul food.’ She shared content about her inner journey, reposted videos that made her laugh, and Her aunt shared “Asia was a bright light in our lives, full of kindness and love, and her sudden departure has left a void that words cannot describe. She was not only a dedicated retail manager but also worked tirelessly driving for DoorDash to support her family. Just before this heartbreaking event, she and her mother moved to a new home.” Friends and family have organized a vigil Friday, July 3. A celebration of life is planned on July 11. Her family has established a crowdfund to support with her final expenses. If you can donate, please do. Asia was a breadwinner for her family who will feel that additional loss sooner rather than later. Context Asia Williams is the 22nd trans person whose death we’ve memorialized in 2026. That is one person every 8.2 days. Our memorials include four individuals where the specific details are not quite clear. If you read the list below, you’ll see what I mean. Asia is the 14th trans person of color, the 14th trans woman, the 13th trans woman of color and the 11th Black trans woman. Those numbers might seem out of alignment, but remember that several of our reports describe individuals whose identity is either gender nonconforming or otherwise unknown. Younger generations are both using multiple identity labels and using none. The way we understand and describe gender identity is changing so sometimes the math doesn’t add up. We have several people identified as gender nonconforming either out of their own choice or because we don’t have any more specific information. As long as one person is on this list, the math is not adding up. 22 people are on this list. 15 of them are BIPOC trans siblings. 12 were Black, two were Latina, and one was Pasifika. Six were white, the identity of one is unknown as of now. We talk a lot about disproportionate impact – here is the evidence. As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s founding 250 years ago, Asia’s death reminds us how the systemic impact that the true origins of American liberty – excluding many people, but especially built on the backs of enslaved Black Africans are deeply embedded in colonialism. The erosion of the rights of Black Americans and other people of color coupled with a death grip on a binary understanding of identity AND the deep disdain for women together have put us in a position where a Black trans woman can walk into a convenience store, but not walk out again through no fault of her own. It is disgusting that 250 years ago, we kidnapped Africans to bring to this nation and today we are kidnapping our brown neighbors to kick them out. But in the midst of both atrocities, joy and self-love, dignity and respect flourish. The legacies of third, fourth, and other gender identities from BIPOC cultures across the world continue to make themselves known. Asia’s family honor her life in its rich fullness, not in secret. Rest in power, Asia. Thank you for the joy and goodness you brought to this world. You were deeply loved and your legacy will live on in the younger generations of your family. I am sorry we did not create a safe enough world for you. May your memory be a revolution Deaths reported in 2026 These individuals are part of the trans community including transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and gender creative folx. Please do not share this content without attribution. Thank you Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-Mccray – Petersburg, Virginia. March 13, 2026. Age 42. Davonta Curtis – Chicago, Illinois. April 5, 2026. Age 32. Dannielle Spillman – San Francisco, California. April 16, 2026. Age 74. Aleanna Royal Belcher – Binghamton, New York. April 17, 2026. Age 31. Lucas Redbeard Knapp – Candy Kitchen, Cibola County, New Mexico, April 18, 2026. Age 39. Hailey Singleton – Dunnellton, Florida, May 5, 2026. Age 29. Lanessa Rodriguez – Ft Pierce, Florida, April 28, 2026. Age 35. Jade Roberts – Houston, Texas, January 2, 2026. Age 25. Paris Harris – Dallas, Texas, April 17, 2026. Age 21. Eryka Caldwell – New York, New York, May 17, 2026. Age 41. Nathaniel Potts – Eldorado, Illinois, May 20, 2026. Age 16. Persia Amarra Conway – Houston, Texas. Date unconfirmed. Found on May 26, 2026. Age 33. Juniper Blessing – Seattle, Washington. May 8, 2026. Age 19. Marlow Trottie – Alexandria, Louisiana. June 8, 2026. Age 35. La’Daijah Walters – Mobile, Alabama. June 22, 2026. Age 32. William ‘Ike’ Eickholt – Hastings, Minnesota. February 1, 2025. Age 74. Kayonna Ankeny – Augusta, Georgia. February 5, 2023. Age 30. Asia Williams – Baltimore, Maryland. June 23, 2026. Age 38. Other Deaths We are following these cases, but cannot confirm the details right now. Daniella Analee Escobedo – Las Vegas, Nevada (unconfirmed), April 12, 2026. Age 34. Name Unknown – Charlotte, North Carolina. Found on May 21, 2026. Date of death unknown. Age unknown. Leia Trysiss Ali – Las Vegas, Nevada. May 24, 2026. Age 35. Kalena ‘Peaches’ Croskey – Birmingham, Alabama. June 11, 2026. Age 35.