BUFFALO, N.Y. – The New York chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement in response to the fatal shooting of Tonya Harvey. Although details are still unfolding, reports state that Tonya was shot and killed on a dead-end street on Tuesday in Buffalo. This is the city’s first confirmed homicide of the year and police are investigating it as a potential hate crime.
Tonya is at least the third transgender woman killed nationwide so far this year, and is the first to be killed by gun violence. 2017 was the deadliest year on record for the transgender community in the United States, with at least 28 trans homicides – 24 of the victims were women of color and 20 of them were killed with a gun.
STATEMENT FROM MEGHAN CONNORS, A BUFFALO-BASED VOLUNTEER WITH THE NEW YORK CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“It is beyond tragic that once again a trans woman of color was senselessly shot and killed in a possible hate crime. Our hearts are breaking for the family of Tonya Harvey who is now reeling from this tragedy. This is another devastating reminder that marginalized communities in our country are disproportionately affected by gun violence. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. We urge our lawmakers to stand with us and prioritize public safety for all Americans, not just a few.”
