In the late hours of a Tuesday in August, the life of a 35-year-old Black transgender woman named Kandis Capri was tragically cut short in a west Phoenix apartment complex parking lot. Born Dedrick Gaines, Capri was discovered shot multiple times on August 11, 2015, near 45th Avenue and Thomas Road. Despite the efforts of first responders, she succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a Black man leaving the area on foot shortly after the shooting. However, this description has not led to any arrests in the years following her death. The Phoenix Police Department investigated the homicide, and at the time, stated they had no evidence to classify it as a hate crime, though Capri's family and advocates in the LGBTQ community feared her gender identity may have been a motive. The personal nature of the attack, with gunshots to both her front and back, led her mother to believe it was more than a random act of violence.
In the wake of her death, Capri was remembered as a loving and kind soul who was getting her life on track. She had recently re-engaged with her faith, attending church and enrolling in theology classes at South Mountain Community College. For the first time in years, she was living comfortably as a woman. Her family, while grieving, was focused on ensuring she was buried with dignity and respect. The community rallied in support, holding a candlelight vigil in her honor at the Downtown Phoenix Civic Space. Friends also initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with her funeral expenses. The case garnered media attention, highlighting the alarming rate of violence against transgender women of color. Despite the public outcry and pleas for information, Kandis Capri's killer remains at large.
