Two trans women killed are latest victims in 2021’s ‘epidemic of trans violence’
Keeva Scatter and Rubi Dominguez are the latest victims of deadly violence towards the trans community in the USA in 2021. (Human Rights Campaign)
Two trans women have been recorded as the latest victims of 2021’s deadly “epidemic of violence” towards the trans community in the USA.
Rubi Dominguez, a Latina trans woman, was killed in a violent car crash in the early morning hours of 16 July in Arlington, Texas, TransGriot reported. She was found by police at the 2100 block of N Collins Street with injuries believed to be caused by a hit and run accident.
Police later confirmed that her cause of death was from a vehicle and believe the car involved was orange and could be a Mitsubishi Mirage.
According to TransGriot, some media outlets reporting on Dominguez’s death misgendered and deadnamed her despite her family using the correct name and pronouns.
Monica, Dominguez’s sister, described her late sibling as a “happy, social, humorous person” who “made people laugh”.
She also appeared on Telemundo Dallas to appeal to the driver involved in her sister’s death to come forward.
“Make yourself responsible because it has caused great pain in my family, both emotionally and psychologically,” Monica said. “It’s something irreparable.”
She added that Dominguez’s death “hurts me a lot” and said that anyone “in our place would understand the pain and anger we have”.
“It hurts me a lot.” She called for justice and said that “I think whoever was in our place would understand the pain and anger we have.”
Keeva Scatter, a Black trans woman, was fatally shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on 15 October. She was just 34-years-old.
According to TransGriot, Scatter was found dead in a grassy field at the 4100 block of W Brookstown Dr near Prescott Rd.
Police currently have no leads and are still investigating Scatter’s murder.
Sadly, there is very little information reported about Scatter’s personal life.
Keeva Scatter and Rubi Dominguez are the 54th and 55th trans people violently killed in the US last year
2021 was the deadliest year on record for trans homicides in the USA, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), as an “epidemic of violence” towards the trans community has swept the nation.
The full death toll is likely even higher considering that approximately three-quarters of trans homicide victims are misgendered and deadnamed by the police and local media, according to the HRC.
After Domiguez’s death, Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative at the HRC, said it was a “tragedy” that the organisation is “reporting on yet another member of our community killed in 2021”.
“Even worse, the suspect fled the scene and has not taken responsibility for ending Rubi’s life,” Cooper said. “Rubi deserved better, both in life and in death.”
Cooper added that the HRC will “make sure to honour” Scatter’s memory although little is known about the trans woman. She said that the “epidemic of violence” “stole over 50 lives in 2021” that “we know of”.
“The majority of cases were like Keeva’s, Black trans women, often victims of gun violence,” Cooper said. “We must work to create a society where Black trans lives are valued and are not cut short.”
The community has mourned across 2021: Tyianna Alexandra, Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín, Bianca Bankz, Dominique Jackson, Fifty Bandz, Alexus Braxton, Chyna Carrillo, Jeffrey ‘JJ’ Bright, Jasmine Cannady, Jenna Franks, Diamond ‘Kyree’ Sanders, Rayanna Pardo, Dominique Lucious, Jaida Peterson, Remy Fennell, Tiara Banks, Natalia Smüt, Iris Santos, Tiffany Thomas, Jahaira DeAlto Balenciaga, Keri Washington, Sophie Vásquez, Danny Henson, Whispering Bear Spirit, Serenity Hollis, Oliver ‘Ollie’ Taylor, Thomas Hardin, Poe Black, Novaa Watson, Aidelen Evans, Taya Ashton, Shai Vanderpump, Tierramarie Lewis, Miss CoCo, Pooh Johnson, Disaya Monaee, Brianna Hamilton, Kiér Laprí Kartier, Mel Groves, Royal Poetical Starz, Zoella Rose Martinez, Jo Acker, Jessi Hart, Rikkey Outommuro, Marquiisha Lawrence, Jenny De Leon, Angel Naira, Danyale Johnson, Cris Blehar, Nikai David and Ke’Yahonna Stone.
