Michelle Tamika Washington was 40 when she was fatally shot on May 19, 2019, on the 3400 block of North 11th Street in North Philadelphia. She was shot four times and later pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital. The Philadelphia Police Department initially did not identify suspects and said the killing did not appear motivated by Washington’s gender identity.

On May 21, 2019, 30-year-old Troy Bailey was arrested and charged in the case. Bailey, who has an extensive criminal history, at first said he was a witness and later admitted to shooting Washington; he told authorities the dispute was over the sale of a firearm, an explanation officials did not fully accept. During a bench trial in May 2021 Bailey was found guilty of third-degree murder and firearms offenses and sentenced to 25 to 50 years in state prison. Washington’s sister, Crystal Davis, said Bailey showed no remorse at trial.

The killing drew attention from activists and politicians and renewed calls for greater protection and support for transgender people, especially trans women of color. If anyone knew Michelle or has information about her life or the circumstances around her death, please share what can help the record.