The family of a Black transgender teen who was brutally murdered about a week ago in Alabama is devastated, insisting the shooter was so cruel because of their loved one’s gender identity.
“We are just devastated, like we are still in shock,” Cam’s aunt Tara Maneice stated. “We cannot believe that this happened you know so quickly, out of nowhere.”
Cameron Jamal Mikquise Thompson, known as Cam and identifying as a woman, was shot just after midnight on Monday in the 600 block of East 35th Avenue, according to the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit.
According to Capt. Jack Kennedy, a juvenile was taken into custody at the Tuscaloosa County Jail and charged with her murder on adult charges.
A beautiful smile, very contagious smile,” Maneice said, “loved fashion and the beauty industry.” Thompson, a transgender woman, had recently finished her training with the Job Corps and had a promising future.
“All these plans she had, she was getting ready to try to go to college, buy a new car, that they have been just wiped away in the blink of an eye, a senseless act,” Maneice added.
Around 1 p.m. on Monday, Thompson’s body was found in a yard close to the street, prompting the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit to be called in to look into her shooting.
According to Captain Kennedy, the motive seems to be connected to remarks Thompson made against the suspect’s sexual orientation on social media.
“They were having a personal argument between each other, knew each other, and that seems to be the impetus behind this assault and murder.”
According to the victim’s mother, her daughter’s gender identity was the motivation for the alleged hate crime.
“If it was a non-transgender girl who said something about him on social media, he would not have lured her out of her home and killed her,” said her mother, Nikki Matthews-Cunningham. “But because my child was transgender, that is why he did it.”
Alabama’s hate crime law only applies to offenses motivated by the victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or physical or mental impairment.
Hate crime statutes at the federal level cover crimes committed against a victim because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or handicap. Kennedy stated that a hearing will be held to determine whether the suspect in this case is eligible for bond.
Kennedy stated that he cannot release any identifying information about the suspect because he is under the age of 18. Maneice established a GoFundMe page to help with Thompson’s burial expenses.
“No amount is too small.” I understand the holidays are approaching and everyone’s funds are limited, but if you can find it in your heart to help our family, we would be grateful,” she wrote.