[Warning: This video shows a disturbing incident.]
Cops in Dallas, Texas say a bunch of men beat up a lone transgender woman on Friday. The investigation is ongoing. Police are looking into whether there’s enough evidence to support a hate crime case. No suspects have been named.
There’s video of the incident. The woman can be seen in footage with pink hair and a blue top.
A man in all white knocked her to the ground, and continued to punch her repeatedly. Others individuals–including one in jeans, tank top, and white shoes–kicked her while she was down.
She got up and tried to get away. The man in all white followed her to grass by a sidewalk, continuing to hit her. This assault stopped when women intervened, and carried off the victim.
According to cops, the trans woman said the assault happened after a minor traffic accident. She said her attackers used homophobic slurs.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings condemned the attack on Facebook:
Chief Hall alerted me this morning to the assault at the Royal Crest Apartments and I have seen a video of what happened. I am extremely angry about what appears to be mob violence against this woman. I am in contact with the chief and she assured me that the Dallas Police Department is fully investigating, including the possibility that this was a hate crime. Those who did this do not represent how Dallasites feel about our thriving LGBTQ community. We will not stand for this kind of behavior.
The woman in video has been identified as Muhlaysia Booker. She sustained facial fractures, and had to have her right arm in a sling, a relative said in a WFAA report. Nonetheless, Booker reportedly said she thanks God she’s still alive.
Dallas police ask that anyone with information contact (214) 671-3584.
[Screengrab via TajTV’]
