transgender woman. Both Hollis’ family and local law enforcement suspect she was murdered in a hate crime.Hollis died in the early morning hours of May 8, having been shot in the back.
Early news reports of her death–as well as statements by her family–also misgendered and deadnamed her.Now Hollis’ family tells reporters that they suspect she died in a hate crime.
They also add that it would not have been the first time she was targeted.“I don’t think it’s random. I believe honestly because of the way he carried himself that a lot of people took offense to it,” said Shannon Osberry, Hollis’ sister. “So honestly I believe it was either a hate crime or an act of revenge for some reason.”Related: In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility: bask.