Nearly Blind Trans Woman Beaten After Pepper-Spraying Teens

A legally blind transgender woman was beaten and stomped on until she was unconscious and authorities believe the incident may have been motivated by transphobia, NBC News reports.

The victim told police an altercation occurred on Tuesday evening between herself and a group of juveniles at a transit center in the Seattle suburb of Tukwila. The woman and the teens all boarded the same bus before the woman walked to the back and pepper-sprayed the group of young people. The juveniles chased the woman off the bus and then beat her, even stomping her after she was unconscious.

The woman survived and was treated for injuries; she later gave a statement to police, explaining why she pepper-sprayed the juveniles.

The young people fled after the beating; two 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old were later arrested and booked for assault and a hate crime. Witnesses heard "offensive slurs" used during the beating, which was captured on video.

Sophia Lee of Seattle's Gender Justice League told KOMO News they're receiving more reports of anti-trans attacks.

"It is a direct correlation with the political climate these days," Lee said. "People have felt much more emboldened to act upon their impulses."