Keke Collier, a 24-year-old black, transgender woman, was shot and killed in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, according to Mic. After being misgendered by local media, Collier’s identity was later confirmed by friends, such as Shasha Lauren. 

Lauren, who works a peer navigator at Chicago House, told Mic that Keke got into a car with a man who later shot her. She later died of her wounds.

Collier, who also went by the name of Tiara Richmond, marks the fourth reported murder of a transgender woman in 2017.

A vigil was held in Keke’s honor at the site of her murder where friends and loved ones gathered to remember her, as well as other victims in recent years, and advocate for the safety of the trans community.

Author

  • Keith Reid-Cleveland is a proud product of Chicago's Southside and the Missouri School of Journalism. The Black Youth Project News Editor has written about politics, race and entertainment for multiple publications, such as Uproxx, The Undefeated, Black Nerd Problems, Comic Book Resources and more.