Tracy "Mia" Green, a 29-year-old Black transgender woman, was tragically shot and killed on September 28, 2020, in Philadelphia, PA. Mia was well-loved and respected in her community, known for her vibrant personality and her smile that lit up the room. Her death came at a time when there was an alarming increase in attacks against transgender individuals, raising concerns among Philadelphia's trans community.
On the day of her death, Mia was in the passenger seat of a car driven by
Abdullah El-Amin, 40, when he was pulled over by police for running a stop sign. El-Amin exited the vehicle and informed the officers that his passenger had been shot. Upon investigation, police found Mia shot multiple times at close range in the passenger seat. She was later pronounced dead at Penn-Presbyterian Hospital.
The investigation led to Abdullah El-Amin being charged with third-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime. In August 2022, a Philadelphia jury found El-Amin guilty of Mia's murder. District Attorney Larry Krasner emphasized that violence against LGBTQ+ people, particularly Black trans women like Mia, often happens in the shadows due to societal marginalization. He expressed gratitude that the criminal legal system was increasingly reflecting the city's values of inclusion and abhorrence of discrimination and bigotry.
El-Amin's sentencing was scheduled for November 4, 2022. The conviction was seen as a step towards justice and a reminder of the need for added protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Mia's death was one of at least 37 killings of transgender individuals reported in the United States in 2020, highlighting the ongoing epidemic of violence against trans people.
Mia's friends and community members continue to honor her memory and advocate for justice and safety for all transgender individuals. Her story serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by the trans community and the importance of addressing and preventing violence against them.
