HOUSTON — On Tuesday night, friends gathered to mourn the death of a woman who was shot and killed over the weekend.
Diamond Brigman was transgender, which left some wondering if she was targeted.
She was only 36.
Brigman's friends said her killing is a stark reminder of the violence that trans women, especially Black trans women, face. She was shot and killed while standing on the side of Country Creek Street in southwest Houston early Saturday morning.
A little after 1 a.m. that morning, Houston police said surveillance video showed a white Chevy Malibu circle the area several times before a man got out of the passenger side of the car and opened fire on Brigman.
"Shot numerous pistol rounds out of the car. And, of course, the result of that is this individual dead on the side of the road," an investigator said at the scene.
The shooter was described as being about 5 feet, 5 inches tall. Police said the shooter and the driver ditched the car and ran. They still haven't been found.
"She was larger than life she had a lot of energy and always smiling and personable," Joelle Espeut said.
Espeut is a local trans advocate and a friend of Brigman. She said crimes like this shouldn't be happening in 2024.
"The rate and level of violence that is inflicted on Black trans women is parallel to the violence that is inflicted upon Black cisgender women," Espeut said.
She said the majority of the killers are the same, too.
"Both Black trans women and Black cisgender women are being killed and murdered through intimate partner violence," Espeut said.
She said Black trans women live an average of just 35 years. She said something has to change.
"Black trans women deserve to grow old," she said.
A vigil is planned for Brigman on Sunday.
Houston police said anyone with information should call police.