WASHINGTON — An arrest has been made in connection with the July 4 shooting of a transgender woman in D.C., who later died.
Twenty-two-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, known as Dee Dee, was shot in the neck along Division Avenue in Northeast. The District resident died July 13.
Thursday morning, police arrested 22-year-old Shareem Hall of District Heights on charges of first degree felony murder while armed.
Police say robbery was the likely motive.
“The U.S. attorney’s office has the ability to bring enhanced charges for a hate crime, so that is something that will be considered when all of the evidence is brought forth,” said interim D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham outside police headquarters.
Ruby Carado, founder of Casa Ruby which serves D.C.’s LGBT community, said Dodds came to the center for help finding a job.
Dodds had reportedly worked as a prostitute.
“Dee Dee was young (and) full of life. Someone who was very happy with who she was,” said Carado.
Carado said she is pleased with the arrest.
“This is very exciting because we have a lot of murders in this city, particularly of people in the same situation that Dee Dee was, and most of their murders have not been resolved.”
Carado said she personally knows of 18 transgender people who have been murdered in the D.C. area in the last 15 years.
