Michelle Tamika Washington, a 40-year-old transgender woman and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia, PA, was fatally shot on May 19, 2019. She was shot four times on the 3400 block of North 11th Street in North Philadelphia and later pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital. The Philadelphia Police Department initially did not identify any suspects and stated that the killing did not appear to be motivated by Washington's gender identity.
However, on May 21, 2019, Troy
Bailey, a 30-year-old man with an extensive criminal history, was arrested and charged with Washington's murder. Bailey initially claimed to be a witness but later admitted to shooting Washington. He stated that the shooting was over a dispute regarding the sale of a firearm, although authorities did not fully believe this explanation. Bailey was found guilty of third-degree murder and firearms offenses during a bench trial in May 2021. He was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in state prison.
The case drew significant attention and outrage from activists and politicians, highlighting the rise in violence against Black trans women. Washington's sister, Crystal Davis, expressed her grief and frustration, stating that Bailey showed no remorse during the trial. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office did not prosecute the case as a hate crime, but acknowledged the broader issue of anti-transgender violence.
Washington's death was a tragic loss for the transgender community, and her murder prompted calls for greater protection and support for transgender individuals, especially trans women of color. The case remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against violence and discrimination faced by the transgender community.
