BUFFALO, NY — The Erie County District Attorney and Buffalo Police are investigating the death of a transgender woman on Shepard Street as a possible hate crime.
The victim was shot to death on Tuesday evening. Buffalo Police identified the victim as being 35 years old. The department has not identified the person, but the Human Rights Campaign has identified her as Tonya Harvey.
“The Erie County District Attorney’s Office, along with Buffalo Police, is investigating the death of a transgender woman killed on Shepard Street. The DA’s Office is also extremely concerned about a spike in homicides of transgender people across the country and will be, as part of this investigation, looking into whether or not this is a potential hate crime.”