Alphonza Watson, a 38-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot in the stomach and died after being found on a Baltimore street in the early morning of March 22, 2017. Witnesses reported hearing an argument immediately before gunfire; two men were then seen leaving in a dark-colored vehicle. Police said they had very little information and no clear motive at the time.

Watson’s family remembered her as the sunshine of their family — caring, passionate, fun-loving and close to the Lord. She had identified as transgender since her teenage years and worked as a top salesperson at a high-end retail store in Northern Virginia. Her death was reported as the ninth murder of a transgender person in the United States in 2017.

Investigative developments have been sparse. A July 2018 report said a warrant had been issued for a 55-year-old man named Leonard Ward on a second-degree murder charge, but no official confirmation of an arrest or outcome has been released and the case remains unsolved according to Metro Crime Stoppers. If anyone knew Alphonza or has information about the shooting, please share what can help the investigation.