Merci Pooda Mack Richey, a 22-year-old Black transgender woman, tragically passed away on June 30, 2020, in Dallas, Texas. She was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a parking lot at the Stone Crest apartments in South Dallas. The incident occurred around 5 a.m., and a witness reported seeing Angelo Walker, a 20-year-old man, chasing Richey through the parking lot and firing multiple shots at her.
Walker was later arrested and charged with murder.
The altercation between Richey and Walker reportedly stemmed from a video that Richey planned to post on her social media. According to the witness, Walker and Richey had a heated dispute over the video, which led to the fatal shooting. Walker was charged with murder and breaking probation for a past aggravated robbery.
Richey's death drew significant attention and mourning from the community, especially within the LGBTQ and Black communities. Vigils and balloon releases were held to honor her memory and show support for Black trans lives. Her family held a wake and funeral service, where many friends and loved ones gathered to pay their respects.
The case highlighted the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by Black transgender women, with Richey being at least the 18th trans person killed in 2020, the majority of whom were Black trans women. The Human Rights Campaign estimates that 21 trans people were killed in 2020, with four killed in the last week, three of whom were Black trans women.
The investigation into Richey's death continues, and the community remains vigilant in seeking justice for her and other victims of similar violence.
