Claire Legato is at Least the Third Trans Person Shot and Killed Nationwide This Year; All Three Were Black Women
CLEVELAND, Ohio.— The Ohio 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 Cleveland. According to reports, Claire Legato was shot in the head on April 15 after an argument broke out between her mother and the suspected shooter. Legato died almost one month later, on May 14, from injuries sustained during the shooting.
There have been at least three transgender people killed in the United States so far this year — all three of the victims were Black women shot and killed with a gun.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Claire Legato,” said Laura Lewis, a volunteer with the Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Everyone deserves to live a life free from gun violence, and it’s heartbreaking to see another life cut short. We must do more to protect our communities from senseless shootings.”