BREAKING NEWS: Tragic D**th of 18-Year-Old Trans Teen After Online Feud Leads to Fatal Shooting.giang

The family of a Black transgender teen gruesomely gunned down about a week ago in Alabama is in despair, insisting the shooter was so cruel because of their loved one’s gender identity.

“We’re just devastated, like we’re still in shock,” said Cam’s aunt Tara Maneice. “We cannot believe that this happened you know so quickly, out of nowhere.”

Cameron Jamal Mikquise Thompson, who goes by Cam and identifies as a woman, was shot in the 600 block of East 35th Avenue just after midnight on Monday, according to the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit. According to Capt. Jack Kennedy, a youngster has been taken into custody at the Tuscaloosa County Jail and charged with her murder on adult charges.

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“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.”

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According to the victim’s mother, her daughter’s gender identity was the motive to the alleged hate crime. “If it was a non-transgender girl who said something about him on social media, he wouldn’t have lured her out of her home and killed her,” said her mother, Nikki Matthews-Cunningham. “But because my child was transgender, that’s why he did it.”

Only offenses motivated by the victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or physical or mental impairment are covered by Alabama’s hate law.

Crimes based on a victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or handicap are covered by hate crime statutes at the federal level. Kennedy stated that a hearing will be held to decide if the suspect in this instance is eligible for bond.

Kennedy stated that he is not allowed to release any identifying information about the suspect because he is under 18. Maneice set up a GoFundMe page to assist with Thompson’s burial costs. “No amount is too small. I am aware 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 more than grateful,” she wrote.