The fatal police-involved shooting of Tony McDade, a black trans man, in Tallahassee, Florida, last week has sparked local protests and is still under investigation.
Facebook/Tony McDade
Natosha « Tony » McDade posted an emotional Facebook Live video hours before, police allege, they stabbed a man and were then fatally shot by Tallahassee police.
The fatal shooting of a black trans man in Tallahassee, Florida, last week has sparked local protests, while mass protests and violence continue to erupt in cities nationwide following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
Natosha “Tony” McDade, 38, was shot on May 28 after, Tallahassee police say, he pointed a gun at an officer, according to a City of Tallahassee Police Department news release.
McDade has been described as gender non-conforming, with some witnesses using she/her pronouns, while on their Facebook page, McDade used he/him pronouns.
Police were responding to reports of a stabbing in the Saxon Street area and soon found McDade, who matched the description, and saw he was armed with a handgun, according to the news release. Police say McDade “made a move consistent with using the firearm against the officer,” who then shot and killed McDade.
Authorities believe McDade fatally stabbed 21-year-old Malik Jackson outside Jackson’s mother’s apartment, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. The story is still developing, however.
Here is what we know so far about McDade and the shooting:
Facebook/TCACActivist groups, including the Tallahassee Community Action Committee continue to hold protests against police violence, with three officer-involved shootings in the city since December.
According to police, the stabbing took place around 10:45 a.m. Witness reports initially described a black female suspect, according to local public radio outlet WFSU. Police Chief Lawrence Revell told reporters at the scene that witnesses claimed McDade was armed with a pistol and a knife, WFSU reported.
Jackson’s family held a vigil on Friday night, according to local ABC outlet WXTL.
