Maryland Moms Demand Action and Everytown Statement on Shooting Death of Transgender Woman in Baltimore

BALTIMORE – Today the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released a statement following the shooting death of Alphonza Watson. Early Wednesday morning, Watson was found with a gunshot wound to her stomach and died shortly thereafter at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Watson worked as a salesperson at an upscale retailer in Virginia according to The Baltimore Sun.

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

STATEMENT FROM DANIELLE VEITH, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE MARYLAND CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“I am enraged that once again, Baltimore is home to terrible gun violence. By all accounts, Alphonza Watson was a lovely person. My heart is with her family, as well as all the trans women of color who see themselves in her and now feel all the more scared. Too often, angry, hateful people are emboldened by readily accessible firearms. We have to do more to keep guns out of dangerous hands and to support the marginalized communities most at risk of experiencing gun violence. Alphonza’s life will not be forgotten. We all have a role to play in creating a safer America.”