Black transgender woman Amyri Dior fatally shot in Milwaukee

Amyri Dior, a 23-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot to death February 21 in Milwaukee, and police are investigating the crime as a homicide.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

Police responded to the report of a shooting at a residence about 12:30 a.m. that day, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s office stated that she was killed in a bedroom.

Members of her family believe her gender identity may have been a factor in the crime, they told TV station WITI. They are remembering her fondly.

“No matter who she came in contact with, she was always a good soul,” her cousin Jakiala Jenkins told the station “I just don’t understand why” [Dior was killed]. She was always truthful with her life. She was just too loving.”

“Live in the truth, y’all,” added Dior’s mother, Perriona Williams. “I just want to tell everybody to live in the truth. It doesn’t matter who you are, just open up, be an open book, so your family can know who you are and be able to love you for who you are.”

Police have identified no suspects in the crime. At least four trans women died by violence in Milwaukee in 2022 and 2023 — Brazil Johnson, Regina “Mya” Allen, Cashay Henderson, and Chyna Long. No arrests have been made in Johnson’s death, but the killers of Allen and Henderson have been convicted, and Antonio S. Currin is charged with first-degree reckless homicide in Long’s death and is set to go to trial April 14.

Dior is at least the third trans person reported to have died by violence nationwide this year, after Sam Nordquist and Tahiry Broom. The number in any given period is likely much higher, given that some are misgendered or deadnamed in death or their deaths not reported at all.

The Milwaukee Black Pride Correlation is organizing a vigil for Dior. It will be held Saturday at 5 p.m. at Zao MKE Church. A visitation and funeral for her are scheduled for March 21 at New Pitts Mortuary.