Muhlaysia Booker
American murdered trans woman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Muhlaysia Booker (January 14, 1997 – May 18, 2019)[1][2] was an African-American transgender woman whose filmed assault in Dallas, Texas went viral on social media. She was murdered a month later.[3][4]
Muhlaysia Booker | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 14, 1997 |
| Died | May 18, 2019 (aged 22) Dallas, Texas |
Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
Attack
On April 12, 2019, Booker and a cousin went to see a fight in Royal Crest Apartments.[5][3] Upon leaving, Booker backed into a car and tried to flee the scene.[6] The driver got out of his car and held Booker against her will until damages were paid. A crowd gathered around the altercation and a man named Edward Thomas was offered $200 to assault Booker. Bystanders watched, videotaped, and yelled. The video was uploaded to social media and went viral. Booker had a concussion and fractured wrist.[5] The Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings labeled it as "mob violence."[2]
On April 14, 2019, Edward Thomas was charged with aggravated assault and held without bond in Dallas County jail.[2] The police stated that his ankle monitor placed him at the location.[7] He was eventually bonded at $75,000 at his court hearing and went back to jail on May 20.[7][8] In October 2019, Thomas was convicted of a lesser charge of misdemeanor assault and sentenced to serve 300 days in jail.[9]
After Booker's attack, supporters held a small rally.[10] Booker spoke out about assault against the transgender community.[10] Her cousin, Quanjasmine Baccus, said, "She was picked on because she is transgender."[11]
Murder
At around 6:40 AM on May 18, 2019, police officers responded to reports of a shooting near Tenison Park Golf Course, where Booker was found dead from a gunshot wound.[5] Kendrell Lyles, a 34-year old man, was arrested and charged with Booker's murder, as well as two other killings. Police said that earlier, Booker was seen getting into a light-colored Lincoln, matching the description of Lyles' car. Police discovered phone records between Booker and Lyles, placing him in the area.[12]
In November 2023, Lyles pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 48 years in prison. He is also charged in the murders of Leticia Grant and Kenneth Cichocki.[13]