Pennsylvania Moms Demand Action, Everytown Respond to Fatal Shooting of Transgender Woman in North Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — The Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement in response to the death of a transgender woman in North Philadelphia. According to reports, Michelle Simone was found with multiple gunshot wounds early Sunday morning. She was transported to Temple University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

“We’re heartbroken by the news that another transgender woman was shot in our community,” said Melissa Carden, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “We’ll keep Michelle and her loved ones in our hearts and vow to keep fighting gun violence in all its forms.”

There have been at least five transgender people killed in the United States so far this year; all five of the victims were Black women shot and killed with a gun. In the last week, three transwomen have died from gun violence — one death was from injuries sustained last month, and two others were from shootings over the weekend. Last September, Shantee Tucker, a 30-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot and killed in Philadelphia.