Advocates call on Cedar Park police to label lesbian’s murder a hate crime
Murder victim Akira Ross Akira Ross, 24, was shot to death on Friday night, June 2, at a Circle K gas station in Cedar Park, a suburb on the northwest side of Austin, by a man she didn’t know.
Now the victim’s family and friends are working to get the Cedar Park Police Department to label her murder as a hate crime.
Organizers with Cedar Park Pride are asking supporters to attend the Cedar Park City Council meeting happening Thursday, June 22, to urge the council to “pressure Cedar Park police to label this incident as a hate crime.” Those who can attend are asked to “use this link to let us know you are attending.” Those who plan to attend as well as those who cannot are asked to email the Cedar Park mayor and city council asking them to encourage police to classify Ross’ murder as a hate crime using this link.
Cedar Park Pride organizers also offered “these talking points to help craft a statement to the Cedar Park City Council.” According to reports, Ross, her girlfriend Tanya Gasaway and another friend pulled into the Circle K parking lot just before 10 p.m.
