Florida Moms Demand Action, Everytown Statement on Shooting Death of Transgender Woman in Miami

MIAMI — The Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement regarding the shooting death of Chayviss Reed. According to reports, Reed was fatally shot at an intersection in Miami-Dade County early Friday morning.

Chayviss Reed is at least the ninth transgender woman killed nationwide so far this year. All were trans women of color, and eight out of the nine women were killed with guns. A list compiled by the The Advocate of transgender people killed nationwide in 2016 showed that more than half (52 percent) were killed with guns.

STATEMENT FROM MICHELLE GAJDA, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE FLORIDA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“I am devastated that yet another trans woman of color has been killed by an act of senseless gun violence. My heart goes out to her family and friends, who now have to live with the unspeakable heartbreak of never seeing or hearing from Chayviss again. Although details are still emerging about Chayviss’ death, we must no longer stay silent on the tragedies that occur when hateful people have easy access to guns. It is time for us to become more accountable for the safety and protection of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in our nation. This is not the America we want to live in, and it certainly is not the America Chayviss deserved. The time to act is now.”