According to Human Rights Watch, Amia Tyrae Berryman, a transgender woman of color has been killed. Berryman is the now the seventh reported trans person murdered this year.
After responding to a report that shots had been fired outside a motel in East Baton Rouge, La. early Monday morning, police found 28-year-old Berryman, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Berryman is the fourth Black trans woman killed this year.
Details about the incident remain unclear. Baton Rouge police say they currently have no suspects and are asking for the public’s help.
According to her Facebook page, Berryman worked for Alliance Home Health Care and attended Scotlandville Magnet High in Baton Rouge.
Berryman’s killing comes less than a month after 45-year-old Phylicia Mitchell was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio, once again bringing attention to the overwhelming instances of violence impacting the trans community.
In 2017 the Human Rights Campaign issued a report calling the attacks against trans people an “epidemic.” “The epidemic of violence against transgender people is an urgent crisis that demands the nation’s immediate attention,” Chad Griffin, president of the HRC president, said.
The HRC has tracked the murders of transgender and gender non-conforming people since 2013. In the last five years, 112 people have been killed. The majority of the deaths have been due to gun violence.
Berryman is remembered as an “awesome” friend who stuck up for others, despite being bullied herself.
