WEST HOLLYWOOD—On November 21, the Los Angeles Police Department released a statement requesting the public’s help in locating a murder suspect.

The accused man allegedly shot and killed a transgender woman on November 17, at around 10:00 p.m., near Lexington Avenue and Gower Street.  Hollywood area patrol officers responded to the area, where they found the unconscious victim suffering from a bullet wound to the chest.   Arriving L.A.F.D. rescue crews pronounced her deceased at the scene.

It is believed that the victim—a 32-year-old transgender female identified as Nathan Henry Vickers, (called “Cassidy” or “Barbie” by friends)—had been in the area when the suspect approached her, shot her in the chest and fled the scene on foot. 

The reason for the killing remains unknown; however, it is believed that the unidentified man may be responsible for assaulting another transgender woman, who he allegedly robbed and shot at in West Hollywood’s Plummer Park about 45 minutes later. The second woman escaped the attack without injury.

The suspect is believed to be a black male with a light-to-medium complexion, skin tags around his eyes and unkempt hair covered by a knitted cap. He may be in his late 20s, standing at around five feet nine inches to five feet ten inches in height. He is believed to be a vagrant and traveling on a bicycle.

Vickers was commemorated three days after her murder during a memorial that was held by the West Hollywood Advisory Board on November 20 in Plummer Park. The Transgender Day of Remembrance was originally created to honor all transgender individuals who were killed as a result of apparent hatred or prejudice, according to the International Transgender Day of Remembrance website at http://www.transgenderdor.org/. The first person memorialized during the event was Rita Hester, who was murdered on November 28, 1998 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Anyone with additional information regarding this killing is asked to call Hollywood Homicide Detective Vinton or Officer Goodkin at 213-972-2910.  During non-business hours, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or text Crime Stoppers to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) on most cell phone keypads).  Tipsters may also visit LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the instructions provided.

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