Chanel Scurlock is at Least the Ninth Trans Person Shot and Killed Nationwide This Year; All Nine Were Black Women
June 7 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day
LUMBERTON, N.C. — The North Carolina 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 Lumberton. According to reports, Chanel Scurlock, 23, was found fatally shot shortly after midnight Wednesday.
There have been at least nine transgender people killed in the United States so far this year, six in the last month alone; all nine of the victims were Black women and at least seven were killed with a gun.
“As a member of the LGBTQ community, I am devastated to learn that yet another Black transgender woman has been shot and killed,” said Jessica Hulick, volunteer leader with the North Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “This is a sobering reminder — particularly during Pride month — that too many of us live in fear of gun violence for just being who we are. We will remember Chanel as we continue the fight to prevent gun violence.”