In the early morning hours of September 16, 2016, a tragedy unfolded on the streets of Baltimore that cut a life short. Crystal Edmonds, a 32-year-old Black transgender woman, was found on a sidewalk in the 3600 block of Fairview Avenue with a gunshot wound to the back of her head. The call came in to police at approximately 3:18 a.m., a time when the city was cloaked in darkness.
Responders rushed her to a local hospital, but her injuries were too severe, and she died a few hours later.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Baltimore Police Department began an investigation into her death. Authorities canvassed the neighborhood, searching for any information that might lead to a break in the case. At the time, a police spokesperson stated it was unclear if Edmonds' identity as a transgender woman was a factor in her killing. The area where she was found was known for sex work, a detail that investigators considered as a possible lead in the case. A reward of up to $2,000 was offered for any information that would lead to an arrest and indictment in the case.
Despite the initial investigation and the offer of a reward, information regarding any suspects or arrests in the murder of Crystal Edmonds has not been publicly released. The case was highlighted by Metro Crime Stoppers, indicating a need for public assistance in solving the crime. The lack of resolution in her case was a painful reminder of the violence faced by transgender women of color. Her death was the 21st known killing of a transgender person in the United States in 2016, a somber statistic that nearly matched the total for the entire previous year. Community and advocacy groups mourned her loss, holding vigils and calling for an end to the violence that disproportionately affects the transgender community.
