A black transgender woman was shot in Baltimore on November 26 and died two days later, marking the 24th known violent killing of a transgender person in the US this year.
But more than a week later, there remain very few other details surrounding the circumstances of her death.
Tydi Dansbury, a 37-year-old Baltimore resident, was found with gunshot wounds at 1900 Lanvale Street shortly after 5 p.m. and was rushed to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in grave condition, a Baltimore police spokesperson told Gay City News. She died at the same hospital on November 28.
Other news reports about the case incorrectly stated that the shooting occurred in the early morning hours and that it happened at the 2400 block of Guilford Avenue. Those reports quoted former Baltimore police spokesperson T.J. Smith, who, according to police, left that role months ago. Smith’s quotes pertained to a separate, older case that involved a dark car speeding off after a shooting.
Police have no leads on a potential suspect or motive, and in the meantime they have circulated flyers offering a $4,000 reward for tips leading to an arrest.
The police department’s LGBTQ liaison, Sergeant Kevin Bailey, is in touch with detectives to search for information about the case.
The Baltimore Transgender Alliance held a community vigil on November 30, which the group described as a “holding space” for Dansbury, her friends, family, and the entire community.
Efforts to reach the city’s LGBT Advisory Board and the Baltimore Transgender Alliance were unsuccessful.
Dansbury’s death contributes to alarming statistics about the violence facing transgender people, which show no signs of significant improvement over last year, when 29 members of the community are known to have been murdered, according to the Human Rights Campaign. That death toll is the highest on record.
Among the 24 violent deaths of transgender people in 2018, 17 — including Dansbury — have been black women, according to HRC.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Baltimore City Police at 410-396-2100. Those with tips can call also Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-2587 or submit information online at metrocrimestoppers.org.
