Southfield, Mich. – The Michigan chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement in response to the shooting of 29-year-old Tahiry Broom, a Black trans woman who was shot and killed earlier this month. Though details are still emerging, officials have a suspect in custody.
Broom was a beloved friend and family member, known for her remarkable ability to “walk into the darkest room and find some light in it.” Her death is a devastating loss, not just for LGBTQ+ communities across the state, but as part of a broader, heartbreaking trend: the disproportionate impact of gun violence on Black trans women. Since January 2017, there have been at least 298 homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people in the United States, 72 percent of which were with a gun. More than six in ten gun homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people were of Black trans women.
“The murder of Tahiry Broom, who was so clearly a beloved member of her community, is devastating. This is a tragic reminder of the deadly consequences of anti-trans hate—especially for Black trans women,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “Black trans women deserve to be safe, to be loved, and to grow old. Our movement will honor Tahiry’s life with action and continue fighting for a world where LGBTQ+ communities don’t just survive, but thrive.”
Tahiry’s death is not an isolated event. Transgender and gender-expansive people are 2.5 times as likely to be victims of violence as cisgender people. Two months into 2025, 584 anti-trans bills have already been filed in states across the country. Hateful, extremist rhetoric coupled with anti-LGBTQ+ political attacks have significant and deadly consequences. When hatred is paired with unfettered access to firearms, marginalized groups face real-life violence. Lawmakers at every level must prioritize the safety of trans and gender-expansive people by taking action to disarm hate and protect marginalized groups from gun violence.
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund has tracked homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people in the U.S. since 2017. In addition to breaking down gun violence to the state- and county level, Everystat includes a database of known trans or gender-nonconforming homicide victims in the United States.
In Michigan, approximately 1,421 people are killed by firearms every year and 2,983 are wounded by guns. An average of 115 children and teens die by guns every year in the state – two-thirds of those deaths being firearm homicide. Gun violence costs Michigan $16.8 billion each year, of which $380.5 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Michigan is available here.