In the early morning hours of July 20, 2011, a life was tragically cut short in the 6100 block of Dix Street in Northeast Washington, D.C. Myles 'LaShay' McLean, a 23-year-old Black transgender woman, was discovered at approximately 4:30 a.m. suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. Known to her friends as 'Shay,' McLean was a regular client of Transgender Health Empowerment, a local nonprofit organization that provides resources and support to the LGBTQ+ community. At the time of her death, she was seeking housing at a group home for homeless gay and transgender youth, located just ten blocks from where she was found.
The nature of the crime immediately raised concerns among city officials and community advocates that McLean may have been targeted because of her gender identity. The Metropolitan Police Department acknowledged the possibility of a hate crime and launched a thorough investigation into the homicide.
In the wake of the shooting, vigils were held in McLean's memory, though a street shrine created in her honor was later found burned. Her mother was so overcome with grief at one of the vigils that she required medical attention.
Despite the passage of time, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made in connection with McLean's murder. Initially, police indicated they were searching for two male suspects. An updated description of one of the suspects was later released, describing him as a 22-year-old, brown-complexioned Black male, approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing around 150 pounds. He was described as having short black hair and, at the time of the incident, was wearing a brimless cap, a black shirt, and blue jeans while armed with a handgun. The Metropolitan Police Department continues to offer a reward of up to $25,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her death.
