Trans teen shot to death outside Maryland bar

An 18-year-old transgender woman was shot to death in the parking lot outside a Mechanicsville, Md. bar shortly after 1 a.m. on March 24 in an incident that the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s investigators say does not appear to be a hate crime.

But the sister of shooting victim Tasiyah Woodland told News 4 Washington that she and members of her family believe the killing was a hate crime based, in part, on the fact that Woodland had been subjected to “hate” in the recent past because of her gender identity.

A Sheriff’s Office investigator, Capt. Edward Willenborg, told News 4 Washington the shooting took place after Woodland exited the Big Dogs in Paradise bar and grill and “some type of confrontation” occurred in the parking lot.

“Detectives said they’re pursuing strong leads and reviewing surveillance camera video from inside and outside the bar,” News 4 Washington reports.

“The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division continues to actively investigate the murder of an 18-year-old victim killed in Mechanicville early Friday morning [March 24],” a statement released by the Sheriff’s Office says.

The statement identifies Woodland as a transgender woman and resident of nearby Lexington Park, Md. It says the Sheriff’s Office investigators have been in regular contact with members of Woodland’s family to offer support and updates on the investigation.

“The Sheriff’s Office has also been in contact with members of PFLAG Southern Maryland and the LGBTQ+ community to address concerns of personal and public safety,” the statement says. “At this time, it does not appear that Woodland was targeted because of her gender identity,” it says.

PFLAG, or Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, is a national organization with chapters in states and cities across the country.

The statement issued by the Sheriff’s Office calls on anyone with information about the case, including anyone who may have taken video images related to the incident with their phone, to contact Sheriff’s Det. David Lawrence at 301475-4200, ext. 78130.

Woodland’s sister, Ty’aliyah Woodland, told News 4 Washington that her sister was an outspoken person who sometimes got others upset.

“She was one of a kind. She had no filter,” Ty’aliyah Woodland told the TV news station. “I mean, she was the true definition of living life to the fullest.”

LOU CHIBBARO JR.