Brandi Seals

A Houston person is shot, potentially targeted for being transgender
Brandi Seals was remembered by her family as a "loving person" and a "beautiful person." A 26-year-old Black transgender woman living in Houston, Texas, Brandi was loved by those who knew her. Her favorite color was purple. Her life was cut short in a year that was, at the time, the deadliest on record for transgender people in the United States, with her death marking at least the 28th known killing of a trans person in the country in 2017.

In the early morning of Wednesday, December 13, 2017, the sound of gunfire broke the quiet in Houston's Sunnyside neighborhood. At around 6 a.m., neighbors near the intersection of Brandon and Red Bud streets reported hearing about six gunshots. The bullets struck Brandi's car and a nearby home's garage. After being shot, Brandi was found on the ground in front of a house that was under construction. She had been fatally wounded.

The Houston Police Department responded to the scene and began a homicide investigation. In the initial aftermath, both law enforcement and some media outlets misgendered Brandi, a painful detail that was corrected by local activists. A police detective suggested that the motive might have been related to the discovery of Brandi's transgender identity, stating the killer may have taken "ultimate action" after realizing she was not who they thought she was. This speculation highlighted the grave dangers faced by transgender women, particularly women of color.

Despite the ongoing investigation, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with her murder. Her aunt, Maria Cheeks, grieving the loss, expressed both her love for Brandi and her faith that justice would be served. "Whoever took [her] life, they have to answer," she told a local news station. "Maybe the police might not can get you, but you will have to answer to one person. And that's the higher power of God. You will have to answer to him."

In the days following Brandi's death, the community gathered to mourn and demand justice. A vigil was held on December 14 at the site where she was killed, organized by local advocates from groups like Save Our Sisters. A second vigil took place the next day at Houston City Hall, bringing further attention to the epidemic of violence against transgender people. Her funeral service was held on December 23 at Waddell’s Riverside Funeral Directors, where the community was welcomed to join her family in saying goodbye.

As of the latest reports, the homicide of Brandi Seals remains unsolved. Her case is a somber reminder of the violence that disproportionately affects the transgender community. Authorities have encouraged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. A reward is available through Crime Stoppers, and tipsters can call their hotline at 713-222-TIPS (8477).