Tiara Richmond, also known as Keke Collier, was a 24-year-old Black transgender woman who tragically lost her life on February 21, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois. Richmond was fatally shot while sitting in a vehicle with a man in the Englewood neighborhood. The incident occurred around 6:15 a.m., and the gunman fled the scene in a red vehicle. Richmond sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her chest, arm, and hand, and was pronounced dead at Christ Medical Center shortly after the attack.
Richmond's death was initially misreported by some media outlets, which misgendered her and used her birth name. However, her identity as a transgender woman was later correctly acknowledged. Richmond's family, including two sisters and a brother, accepted her gender identity and were deeply affected by her loss. Friends and community members described her as a vibrant individual who loved to dance and was always the life of the party.
The murder of Tiara Richmond is part of a broader pattern of violence against transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color. In 2016, at least 22 transgender people in the U.S. were killed due to fatal violence, the highest number ever recorded at that time. Richmond's death marked the second killing of a transgender woman in Chicago within six months, following the murder of T.T. Saffore in September 2016.
Despite the community's outcry and the attention brought to the case, there have been no arrests or suspects identified in connection with Richmond's murder. The case remains unsolved, and it highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing and preventing violence against transgender individuals. Vigils and rallies were held in Richmond's honor, emphasizing the need for unity and action within the transgender and gender nonconforming community.
