Milwaukee Crime Stoppers is offering a $28,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a suspect who shot and killed a transgender woman last month.
Brazil Johnson, 28, was shot and killed last month.
According to HRC.org, Johnson was a passionate LGBTQ+ activist, a beloved daughter and a talented chef. Her death is at least the [17th] violent killing of a transgender or gender non-conforming person in 2022.
Her mother believes her daughter was murdered because she was a transgender woman.
"For those many wounds and for someone to be disfigured like that, it was definitely a hate crime," Bernitha Gildart said at a vigil in June, per Fox 6 Now. "Someone was very angry."
"As a Black transgender woman, Brazil Johnson represents a segment of our community that faces an epidemic of violence," Milwaukee Crime Stoppers President Attorney Michael Hupy Burgelis said. "Ensuring everyone, regardless of their race or gender identity, feels safe living in Milwaukee County is of the utmost importance," he said.
Them.us reports that Johnson's killer also mutilated her genitals and placed them in her mouth.
"It is devastating that in light of Milwaukee's recent Pride celebrations, we are once again reminded of the harsh reality that transgender Black and brown women suffer higher rates of violence than their straight counterparts, as well as their lesbian, gay, and bisexual counterparts," said Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Johnson's mother.
Anyone with information about Johnson's murder is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-8477.