Avery Chanel Scurlock, a 23-year-old transgender woman, was found dead on June 5, 2019, in a field in Lumberton, North Carolina. The autopsy report revealed that she had been shot eight times, with gunshot wounds in her torso, abdomen, hip, lower back, flank, and upper arm. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. Scurlock's body was discovered after Robeson County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of gunfire.
Her car and phone were missing from the scene, and .45-caliber cartridge casings were found nearby. Scurlock was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into Avery Chanel Scurlock's death led to the arrest of Javaras Hammonds, a 20-year-old man from Lumberton. Hammonds was accused of robbing and killing Scurlock, shooting her multiple times, and then stealing her car. He was charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Hammonds was booked into the Robeson County Sheriff's Office without bond. The Sheriff's Office has not discussed a motive for the crime, but Scurlock's mother, Brenda, believes her child was targeted because of her gender identity. Scurlock was reportedly headed to a date with someone she met on a dating website hours before the deadly shooting.
Avery Chanel Scurlock's death drew national attention from the LGBTQ community, highlighting the troubling trend of violence against transgender black women in the United States. Scurlock's friends and family used female pronouns and the name "Chanel" when referring to her, and she posted personal photos and videos presenting as female on social media. Despite the support from her loved ones, Scurlock's mother used male pronouns and called her Avery. The case also garnered attention from advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which demanded action in response to the homicide. The investigation into Scurlock's death is ongoing, and law enforcement continues to seek justice for her and her family.
