“Anti-Trans Violence Lawmaker” : Transgender Woman Found Dead in Minneapolis Identified as Savannah Williams

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke has spoken out against anti-trans violence, describing it as an “epidemic,” following the tragic death of a transgender woman in Minneapolis. The victim, 38-year-old Savannah Williams, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head near a light rail station. Damarean Bible, 25, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the incident.

According to jail records reviewed by HuffPost, Bible was arrested and taken into custody after surveillance footage showed him and Williams in the area shortly before the shooting. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots at around 5:45 a.m. on November 29th. Bible was seen leaving the scene alone, leading to his subsequent arrest. While in jail, he allegedly confessed to killing Williams, expressing remorse and acknowledging that he was not God but felt compelled to carry out the act.

The probable cause statement obtained by HuffPost revealed that Bible claimed to have met Williams while passing a bus shelter, where she propositioned him for a sexual act. However, during the encounter, Bible became suspicious of Williams and shot her in the head. The details of the encounter and the motive behind the shooting are still under investigation.

Bible is scheduled to appear in court on January 9th, according to jail records. In response to this tragic incident, State Representative Leigh Finke, the first openly transgender legislator in Minnesota, held a press conference on Thursday. Finke emphasized that passing bills alone is insufficient to address the rising tide of anti-trans violence. She called on the community to recognize the humanity and worth of transgender individuals and to celebrate their individuality.

At the same press conference, Savannah Williams’ sister, Gabrielle Stillday, expressed her disbelief that her sister’s gender, past, or criminal record could justify her murder. Stillday described Williams as a “two-spirit trans woman” and asserted that her sister was the victim of a hate crime. In an effort to raise funds for Williams’ funeral, a GoFundMe page was set up, highlighting the family’s belief that her death was a result of targeted discrimination.

The Queer Legislative Caucus of the Minnesota House, which includes Leigh Finke as a member, issued a statement condemning Williams’ death and drawing attention to the dangers and discrimination faced by transgender individuals. The caucus stressed that this tragedy should not be treated as an isolated incident but rather as a consequence of a society that marginalizes and dehumanizes transgender people.

Tragically, Williams’ death is not an isolated case. According to data from the Human Rights Campaign, at least 33 transgender and gender nonconforming people have been killed in the past year, with transgender women accounting for 69.7% of the victims. These figures highlight the urgent need to address the systemic violence and prejudice faced by the transgender community.

As the investigation into Savannah Williams’ death continues, it is crucial that policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and society as a whole work together to create a safer and more inclusive environment for transgender individuals. This includes implementing comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, promoting education and awareness, and fostering a culture of acceptance and respect for all. Only by addressing the root causes of anti-trans violence can we hope to put an end to this tragic epidemic..