Philadelphia police continue investigation of possible hate crime involving transgender woman 

It occurred round 4:30 a.m. Sunday at a speakeasy-type underground hookah membership close to East Westmoreland and Rosehill streets in Kensington.

It is the kind of assault that LGBTQ activist Porsha Burton says occurs too typically in Philadelphia.

“It is too regular for a trans lady or trans man to be attacked in Philadelphia,” she mentioned.

Police say the assault occurred whereas the transgender lady was out together with her sister and good friend. Phrases might have been exchanged within the membership, although police say the surveillance video would not present a serious altercation inside. There was, nevertheless, a battle exterior the membership.

Activists mentioned that the male suspect was ready for her sufferer and her sister and good friend exterior at their automobile. Police now say the suspect did not await the sufferer at her automobile, however there was a battle.

Throughout the altercation, the suspect is accused of punching and pistol-whipping the transgender lady whereas yelling homophobic slurs.

“I believe that it is a hate crime,” mentioned Burton, “and I believe we have to have a look at these explicit crimes with a magnifying glass.”

District Lawyer Larry Krasner says his workplace is taking a better have a look at whether or not the assault was a hate crime.

Police additionally say the suspect shot the trans lady’s sister and good friend as they jumped into the battle.

All three victims have been launched from the hospital.

In line with investigators, surveillance video from contained in the membership helps them get a have a look at the suspect.

As they work to catch him, Burton says town also needs to work on methods to cease assaults towards transgender individuals.

“We do not simply discuss it, however actually structuralize a plan to do one thing about it,” she mentioned. “Let’s sit down and discuss what security seems to be like by our eyes.”

Trans advocates say they’ll proceed to push to make sure justice and a radical investigation of the case.