‘Kind and feisty’ Black trans woman fatally shot in US. Her name was Nedra Sequence Morris
Nedra Sequence Morris, a 50-year-old Black trans woman, was fatally shot in Florida, US. (Screen capture via NBC)
A Black trans 50-year-old woman has become the latest victim of a wave of transphobic violence in the US that shows no sign of ceasing.
Nedra Sequence Morris, whose surname has also been reported as Moss, was described by loved ones as “strong, feisty and opinionated”
She was fatally shot in Opa-locka, Florida, on 14 May.
Only limited details of her killing have been disclosed by police. She was found dead along the intersection of NW 32nd Avenue and NW 132nd Terrace in the Miami-Dade County city, NBC affiliate WTVJ reported.
Her family alleged that Morris was shot in the head at an unknown location in the early morning before her body was dumped by a moving vehicle.
“From what I got from this, it was a cruel, cruel, nasty, calculating thing to do,” Morris’ aunt, Juanita, told the television station.
Morris, who worked at a local public school district, was remembered by friends and family at a vigil Monday evening (16 May). More than 100 people attended the service, letting go of star and heart-shaped balloons as they yelled: “We love you, Sequence!”
The Miami-Dade Police Department said officers are investigating the case. The force is looking for a 2017 Jaguar F-PACE that reportedly left Morris’ body at the intersection.
Those with information are urged to call Miami Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS and may remain anonymous.
Tatiana Williams, a friend of Morris and the founder of the local advocacy group Trans Inclusive, remains cynical about the police’s investigation.
“When these deaths happen and people that are working in the PD or in the community, they don’t know how to advocate for us,” she told WTVJ, “so a lot of times these cases go cold.”
Nedra Sequence Morris is 14th trans person killed in the US this year
Nedra Sequence Morris’ death set off a fresh wave of anger and grief. She is, at least, the 14th trans, non-binary or gender non-conforming person killed in the US this year, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
“I want to say whoever did this,” a relative added to WTVJ, “you hurt the whole LGBTQ+ community.”
The killings follow at least 57 recorded deaths last year by the HRC. As much as the LGBTQ+ advocacy group said its 2021 tally was already record-breaking, the figure has continued to rise as more cases surface months on.
But the HRC note that this is in no way surprising. Around three in four trans homicide cases are deadnamed and misgendered by police and the press, making much of the data unreliable.
“Nedra Sequence Morris was a well-loved and respected member of her community,” said Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the HRC’s Transgender Justice Initiative, said in a statement.
“She touched so many people’s lives with her kindness and fiery personality. Her horrific death is yet another example of the epidemic of violence targeting Black transgender and non-binary people.
“We all hope for justice to be served and for Sequence’s friends and family to find peace and closure.”
The community has mourned across 2022: Amariey Lej, Duval Princess, Cypress Ramos, Naomie Skinner, Matthew Angelo Spampinato, Paloma Vazquez, Tatiana Labelle, Kathryn “Katie’ Newhouse, Kenyatta “Kesha” Webster, Miia Love Parker, Fern Feather, Ariyanna Mitchell and Ray Muscat.
