Trans woman beaten, tied to a van and dragged away in attack too violent to share publicly
Jacksonville authorities released stills of the minivan, but did not release the full footage because it was too “graphic”. (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office)
A bigot brutally beat a trans woman, tied her body to the bumper of a stolen minivan, and dragger her for two blocks, according to police.
The victim, who has not yet been named by local authorities, is fighting for her life after being taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The attack took place last weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, with police saying it was so “horrendous” that video footage of the incident will not be made public.
Eric Shaun Bridges, 34, was arrested on Sunday evening on charges of attempted murder linked to the attack, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Facebook.
Moreover, public inmate records indicate he was further charged with violation of parole.
Trans woman attacked and pulled by minivan along residential street.
In the early hours of Friday, Bridge reportedly battered the victim then tied her by the legs to the bumper of a stolen green minivan.
He then pulled her along the intersection of West 36th Street and Moncrief Road – the entrance to the Majestic Plaza Apartments – investigators said.
The victim was found lying by the 4700 block by Pierce Street in North West Jacksonville, Florida. (PinkNews)
Bridges allegedly then cut the rope and drove away. Officers responded to calls and found the victim lying in the street, while investigators suspect she was already unconscious before she was dragged.
Witness Eric Brightman, a Majestic Plaza maintenance worker, claimed the attack started inside one of the apartments.
“They seen [her] dragging down the street with a rope,” Brightman told local media.
Footage of attack too “horrendous” for pubic viewing, says Sheriff.
The Real Time Crime Centre refused to release footage of the incident, citing it as too “disturbing” for public viewing.
“We can’t release it,” Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Brien Kee said. “It is horrendous.”
However, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released stills from the footage of the alleged attacker’s green minivan in a Facebook post.
Tips lead to detectives discovering the vehicle was stolen prior to the incident, before locating it within 24 hours.
Jacksonville law enforcement released stills of the minivan, but did not release the full footage because it was too “graphic”. (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office)
Homicide detectives spoke to locals, tracked leads and analysed evidence in and around the crime scene before pinning down Bridges midday Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office said.
At first appearance before a judge on Monday morning, Bridges was ordered to be held on a $500,000 bond. He is due back in court on 22 October, according to police records.
Bridges reportedly has a long rap sheet, with previous criminal offences including grand theft and resisting an officer.
He was released from prion on June 2018.
Anti-trans violence on the rise in the US.
The unnamed victim is the latest target of a wave of violence against trans people, in particular black trans women, that is snarling the community.
At least 19 trans people have been killed in 2019, 18 of which are trans women of colour. Their names are Dana Martin, Jazzaline Ware, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle Washington, Paris Cameron, Chynal Lindsey, Chanel Scurlock, Zoe Spears, Brooklyn Lindsey, Denali Berries Stuckey, Kiki Fantroy and Pebbles LaDime Doe. Tracy Single, Bailey Reeves, and Bee Love Slater.
The LGBT+ community has also this year mourned Jordan Cofer, a white trans man who was killed in a mass shooting.
