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Police investigate shooting death of trans woman in Hunting Park

Published  September 5, 2018 8:49pm EDT
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

HUNTING PARK (WTXF) - Police are investigating after a 30-year-old trans woman was fatally shot in Hunting Park.

In a room full of mourners, Shante Tucker's big brother Maurice Bibbs spoke for the family about the life and death of his younger sibling.

"Being a transgender and knowing the situation that he has been through, it is my worst nightmare ever," Bibbs said. FOX 29's Bruce Gordon asked, "That something like this could happen?" He replied, "That something like this could happen. Why should someone take my brother, who became my sister, away from my family? Why?"

Police say just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, Tucker became involved in an argument with a person parked in an older model black pick-up truck on the 4300 block of Old York Road.

According to police, the driver pulled out a semi-automatic weapon and fired eight shots--hitting Tucker once in the back. She died several hours later.

Police say the area is known as a haven for drugs and prostitution but that neither appear to connected to this case. Instead, they believe she knew her killer that they had some sort of relationship. Investigators do not believe this was a hate crime.

"She wasn't targeted because of her gender affiliation or lifestyle," Philadelphia Homicide Unit Captain Jack Ryan said. "No indication that the argument that preceded the shooting touched on those issues?" FOX 29's Bruce Gordon asked. Ryan responded, "We don't believe so."

Family members say Tucker transitioned about a dozen years ago, worked as a hairstylist, loved her family and friends and had just turned 30 years old on Sunday. Bibbs says he bought her a cake.
Now, she's gone and he's left to ponder why.

"You're 30, you're young and you like to have fun. Anything can happen on the streets," Bibbs said. "It hurts--it really hurts--and I hope whoever did it gets caught."

Initial police reports erroneously indicated that the shooting victim was a man. This story has since been updated to reflect the true gender identity of the victim.