Myles "LaShay" McLean | Homicide Watch DC

Memorial for Myles "LaShay" McLean Burned, Reports WAMU

Laura Amico — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:25:13 -0400

A memorial for Myles "LaShay" McLean, who was killed in July, has been burned, WAMU reports.

The only thing that remains are charred flowers and some parts of a teddy bear.

Long-time transgender activist Earline Budd helped created that memorial.

"I'm just torn," she says. "I'm just grief-stricken. Just the thought that somebody would do something to desecrate a monument, it sends a clear message of such hatred to our community."

McLean was a 23-year-old transgender woman. No arrests have been announced in connection with her killing.

WAMU reports that MPD may investigate the burning of the memorial as a hate crime.

A photo of what the memorial once was is here.

"Potential emerging pattern" after Second Transgendered Person Attacked in DC

Laura Amico — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:38:27 -0400

From MPD:

Police Investigation Involving Victims from the Transgender Community

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating two separate incidents and is seeking help from the community.

The first crime is the homicide shooting of Myles 'Lashay' Mclean . This occurred on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at approximately 4:30 a.m. in the 6100 block of Dix Street NE. The victim and a witness were in the block when two subjects walked directly towards them. One subject started asking a question, and without provocation pulled a semi-automatic handgun and fired, killing the victim. The suspects are described as two black males in their late teens to early 20s. The first suspect is described as being 6-feet-tall with a thin build and light complexion. The shooter is described as being shorter and having a darker complexion than the other suspect. The case is being investigated by the Homicide Branch.

The recent case happened Sunday, July 31, 2011 at approximately 2:45 a.m. The victim was in the 6200 block of Dix Street NE when a suspect approached on foot. The suspect asked for change and without waiting for a reply pulled a semi-automatic handgun and shot at the victim, without hitting the victim. The suspect is described as a black male, 17-19 years old, 5'6", 180 lbs, dark complexion. The case is being investigated by the Sixth District Detectives Unit.

Both cases involved transgender victims. Due to the similarities of the victims’ sexual self-identification, M.O., locations, and lookout for suspects, the cases are being investigated as a potential emerging pattern.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Sixth District, the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU) and Prince George’s County Police Department have teamed together to enhance patrol efforts in the area where the crimes have occurred. The GLLU is focusing on making contact with people in the area. We will ensure that flyers are distributed on both crimes.

We are enlisting the support of our outreach partners such as Transgender Health Empowerment (THE) and other members of the Transgender community to join in on sending the message of safety.

- "Do not walk alone."
- "Report suspicious persons and activities immediately to us."

We will also seek social services to provide materials that will assist those that work and reside in the area.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia .

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-800-673-2777 and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Police-Community Online Group for alerts to members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Communities: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MPD-slu/ (Membership List Private)

Street Shrines: Myles LaShay McLean

Laura Amico — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:14:05 -0400

Washington's Other Monuments has photos of a street shrine built in memory of Myles LaShay McLean. See more photos here.

Street shrine in memory of Myles LaShay McLean

Washington Blade: Vigil Held for Myles LaShay McLean

Laura Amico — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:34:26 -0400

The Washington Blade reports that a vigil for Myles LaShay McLean held Saturday was an emotional affair that left McLean's mother so overcome that she had to be taken by ambulance to a local hospital at the conclusion of the vigil.

McLean, a 23-year-old transgendered woman, was killed last week in a shooting in Northeast D.C.

“To the family and to the community, I want you to know that we are committed to making sure that justice is done, that this life that has touched many of us will be remembered and the life that she led will be remembered,” said D.C. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Paul Quander, according to the Blade.

“We will always be reminded that what happens to one happens to all of us. Injustice to one is injustice to all of us and that in this society no intolerance will be accepted," he said.

No arrests have been announced in the case. MPD has said that two men are believed to have "exchanged words" with McLean before she was shot. MPD has not said whether McLean was killed over her gender or something else.

See the Blade's report for photos from the vigil.

Vigil Planned for Myles LaShay McLean

Laura Amico — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:44:08 -0400

Lashai Mclean, in a Facebook memorial poster

Metro Weekly reports that a vigil has been planned in memory of Myles LaShay McLean, a 23-year-old transgender woman who was shot to death in Northeast DC this week.

According to Metro Weekly, the vigil is organized by Earline Budd of Transgender Health Empowerment and Ruby Corado with the DC Trans Coalition.

It will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. at 61st and Dix Streets NE.

MPD: Dix St Shooting Victim ID'ed as Myles McLean

Laura Amico — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:57:08 -0400

MPD just released the following information on a fatal shooting in Northeast DC early this morning.

July 20, 2011

Homicide in the 6100 block of Dix Street, NE

( Washington, DC) —Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 6100 block of Dix Street, NE.

On Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at approximately 4:26 am, members of the Sixth District responded to the report of a shooting in the 6100 block of Dix Street, NE. Upon arrival on the scene, they found a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital where the victim was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 23-year-old Myles Mclean of NE, Washington DC.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-800-673-2777 and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

McLean, a transgender woman, was known by friends as LaShay, LaShai, Shay and Shai.

"RIP Shai"

Laura Amico — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:59:35 -0400

Friends of 23-year-old transgendered woman Lashay McLean responded today to news of her death. If you like, leave your memorial messages at the end of the post.

Metro Weekly: Homicide Victim is 23-year-old Lashay McLean

Laura Amico — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:22:48 -0400

MetroWeekly reports that the transgendered victim of a fatal shooting in Northeast DC early this morning was 23-year-old Lashay Mclean of Northeast DC.

McLean was a client of Transgender Health Empowerment and well known to staff there, Metro Weekly reports.

THE's program director, Brian Watson, told Metro Weekly:

''We haven't gotten any information from GLLU or anything, that's why we still don't know what's going on. … We don't know if police have anyone in custody, we don't know if they got away, we do know that someone was with Shay, but we don't even know who that was.''

Read their full report, with a photo of McLean, here.

Vincent Gray's Comments on Homicide of Transgendered Person Early Wednesday Morning

Laura Amico — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:56:14 -0400

Following is Mayor Vincent Gray's press release on a homicide that claimed the life of a transgendered person Wednesday morning in Northeast DC.

MAYOR VINCENT C. GRAY COMMENTS ON OVERNIGHT HOMICIDE

Decries Possible Hate Crime

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier today reported to Mayor Vincent C. Gray a homicide overnight at 6110 Dix Street NE in which the victim of a fatal shooting was a transgender person. Jeffrey D. Richardson, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs, also was advised of the incident. At this time MPD officials say they have no information to indicate that this is a hate crime. However, it is very early in the investigation.

While the investigation is still underway and the motive has not been determined, Mayor Gray decried the prevalence of hate crimes resulting from sexual orientation and gender bias.

“Every homicide in the District of Columbia is a tragedy for which the perpetrators must be brought to swift justice,” Mayor Gray said. “However, if the investigation concludes that this shooting was the result of bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity, MPD and my administration will work with this community to see that there is an appropriate response to this kind of violence, which cannot be tolerated.”

NE DC Homicide May be a Hate Crime, says Gray

Laura Amico — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:39:34 -0400

UPDATE: The Washington Examiner reports that the victim has been identified by police as Myles McLean.

Reports The Examiner:

At around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 6100 block of Dix Street NE, the victim was approached by two men and words were exchanged, police said. One of the suspects pulled out a handgun and fatally shot the victim, identified by police as Myles McLean, of the Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast Washington.

Capt. Michael Farish, head of the homicide branch, said the exchange was brief and there was no announcement of a robbery and nothing mentioned about sexual orientation.

WJLA and the Washington Times are reporting that a shooting early this morning in Northeast D.C. has claimed one life.

Sixth District Commander. Robert J. Contee, III sent a message to the police district listserve about the shooting at about 4:30 a.m. He said:

The Sixth District is currently investigating a shooting in the 6100 Block of Dix St. N.E.

Anyone with information should call 1-888-919-CRIME or text information to 50411.

WJLA and the Washington Times are reporting that the victim is a transgendered person. Mayor Vincent Gray commented on the crime at a press conference today. From the Washington Times:

“Every homicide in the District of Columbia is a tragedy for which the perpetrators must be brought to swift justice,” said Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “However, if the investigation concludes that this shooting was the result of bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity, [the Metropolitan Police Department] and my administration will … see that there is an appropriate response to this kind of violence, which cannot be tolerated.”