D.C. police are now investigating two new weekend attacks on transgender women -- part of a wave of violence in the nation's capital that began in mid-June.
WAMU has details about the Metropolitan Police Department's investigation:
The latest attacks happened early Saturday around 3 a.m. A transgender woman was sexually assaulted in the district by a man who offered her a ride. Then shortly after 4 a.m., another transgender woman was shot during a robbery attempt in the area of 5th and K Streets NW. That woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The incidents are the latest in a series of recent attacks against transgender individuals in D.C. Four attacks were reported beginning with an assault and robbery in Southeast on June 21. Last Thursday morning, a transgender woman was assaulted and shot in the District. The weekend assaults are fifth and sixth such attacks in less than two weeks.
An MPD representative says although the incidents are not considered to be hate crimes as of yet, investigators with the department's gay and lesbian liaison unit are investigating.
Friday evening, before the two most recent attacks, a meeting was organized by gay and transgender advocates to discuss the violence.
“This is really putting all of us on edge," Earline Budd, one of the organizers of the meeting, told the Washington Blade, adding, "You’re seeing all of these incidents happening in such a short period of time.”
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