Asia Williams, a 38-year-old Black transgender woman, was fatally shot on the night of June 23, 2026, inside a convenience store in North Baltimore. Williams was also identified in initial police and news reports by the name Sean Williams, while funeral records referred to her as Sean “Asia” Williams. The shooting unfolded at approximately 10:49 p.m.
at Mega Tobacco & Convenience, located at 5211 York Road near Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Baltimore police officers responding to reports of gunfire entered the business and found Williams and another victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The second victim was a 27-year-old man. Emergency personnel transported both victims to area hospitals, but Williams was pronounced dead a short time later. The wounded man survived, and authorities said his injuries were not expected to be fatal.
Information released during the early investigation indicated that an unidentified man entered the store wearing a neon-yellow safety vest. The man reportedly produced a firearm and opened fire, striking Williams and the other victim. Surveillance images of the individual were later released as Baltimore police sought the public’s assistance in identifying him. Authorities had not established whether the shooter knew either victim, whether the two victims were connected to each other, or whether Williams had been specifically targeted.
The circumstances leading up to the gunfire remained unclear. Investigators did not announce a suspected motive, and available reports did not indicate that police had determined whether the shooting resulted from an argument, robbery, personal dispute, or another cause. Officials also had not publicly classified the killing as a hate crime or stated that Williams’ identity played a role in the attack.
Homicide detectives assumed responsibility for the investigation and began reviewing evidence from the store and surrounding area. Police appealed for anyone who recognized the person shown in surveillance material or had information about what happened inside the business to contact investigators. As of the latest publicly available reporting, no suspect had been publicly named, no arrest had been announced, and no criminal charges had been filed in connection with Williams’ death.
Williams’ death left her family and community preparing to say goodbye while detectives continued searching for the person responsible. Funeral arrangements included a visitation at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services on York Road, followed by a memorial service and burial at Parkwood Cemetery. The case remained an active homicide investigation, with police urging witnesses to contact Baltimore homicide detectives at 410-396-2100 or provide information anonymously through Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
