Detroit police are investigating Tahiry Broom’s murder as a hate crime.
Tahiry Broom, a 29-year-old male-to-female transgender from Cleveland, Ohio, was shot and killed the morning of Feb. 9 in Southfield, Michigan. Tahiry’s body was found face down in the snow in the parking lot of the apartment complex.
“We unfortunately, as a community, just closed the chapter in receiving justice for another trans woman of color, Ashia Davis, and now, less than 90 days later we are hoping to get justice for Tahiry Broom,” Julisa Abad, victim advocate and Director of Outreach at Fair Michigan, told Pride Source. “The violence that my community faces goes to show that this is an epidemic that is not ending anytime soon.”
Police arrested Robert Ridges III, 28, at the MGM Grand Casino in Detroit hours later. He is charged with second-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm possession.
According to WXYZ, Ridges contacted Tahiry through an online advertisement and they met up on Sunday, Feb. 9, near Ridges’ apartment. An argument ensued, and Ridges shot Tahiry in the head.
Southfield police believe Tahiry was the victim of a hate crime and was lured to Southfield for a planned robbery.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said Ridges placed 33 phone calls to various trans sex workers the morning of the shooting. Tahiry agreed to meet up near Ridges’ apartment.
A memorial was held by friends and family on Valentine’s Day in Cleveland. A GoFundMe was launched to raise money for funeral expenses.
