Kenji Spurgeon, a 23-year-old Black transgender woman, was fatally shot shortly after midnight on July 1 in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Her untimely death, which occurred just after the conclusion of Pride Month, has left the community in mourning. A candlelight vigil was recently held at the AIDS Memorial Pathway to honor Spurgeon and other Black trans individuals who have fallen victim to gun violence.
The Lavender Rights Project organized the vigil. Its executive director, Jaelynn Scott, expressed the community’s sorrow and frustration. “I think we as a community and as an organization failed Kenji,” Scott said. “We need the city of Seattle, the state of Washington, and King County to re-evaluate their budgets and ensure that LGBT organizations continue to receive funding.”
The Seattle Police Department continues to investigate Spurgeon’s death. Detectives do not believe she was targeted for her gender identity. However, they are looking into multiple potentially related incidents in the area, involving individuals shooting pellets or paintballs.
Spurgeon attended Summit Sierra High School in Seattle, which has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, including the cost of sending her remains back to Alabama. “Kenji was a bright light in our lives, known for an infectious smile and quick wit,” the campaign page reads. Spurgeon was a cherished member of the school’s founding class and had captured the hearts of many from the start.
Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative, voiced her anger and sadness over the ongoing violence against Black trans women. “Kenji deserved to fully live out her life. She had aspirations and goals, family and friends. At barely 23, Kenji had so much more ahead of her. We must all continue to fight back against the ongoing senseless violence against trans people, especially Black trans women, and particularly against gun violence of any and all kinds,” Cooper stated.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the case to contact the Seattle Police Department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line or Crime Stoppers.