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No suspects in shooting of Texas lesbian couple

Teens found in park, one dead; coast to coast vigils planned for Wednesday, Friday

Published

14 years ago

on

Mary Kristene Chapa, Mollie Judith Olgin, gay news, Washington Blade

Two young lesbians in Texas were shot over the weekend, killing one of the girls.

A national outcry has followed news that on Saturday morning, Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Christine Chapa, 18, were found in a Corpus Christi area park with gunshots to the head, according to Portland, Texas police. Olgin was declared dead at the scene, while Chapa is in stable condition.

Friends described the pair as a couple, and say they had been dating for five months before the shooting occurred, fueling speculation that hate may have been a motivating factor behind the crime, according to the Dallas Voice.

However, due to the nature of Chapa’s injuries, police have yet to interview the only witness to the crime, and without a suspect, cannot attribute a motive.

“Information from family and friends indicates that Mollie and Mary were engaged in a same-sex relationship,” Portland Police Chief Randy Wright wrote in a press release Tuesday night. “However, there is no current evidence to indicate the attacks were motivated by that relationship.”

Wright did not return calls regarding the investigation.

“We’re at a point in the investigation where we’re hopeful for the recovery of Mary Christine Chapa because she’s going to be the primary witness at this point in time,” Chuck Smith, deputy executive director of Equality Texas, told the Washington Blade. He noted the group is staying in touch with the Justice Department and the FBI as the investigation unfolds.

“I think the general reaction, both in the Portland area as well as in the larger community is one of shock,” Smith told the Blade. “Portland is a small town, they haven’t had a murder in two years, so it is certainly unusual for the city of Portland to have a violent crime like this. It is also unusual fortunately, to have this type of crime anywhere in the state that’s this violent in nature.”

“They apparently do not have evidence either way whether or not the crime was motivated by bias,” Smith added. “The surviving victim is going to be an important part of helping solve that investigation.”

Smith encouraged anyone with information about the incident to contact the Portland Police Department.

Vigils were planned to call attention to the shooting in San Francisco on Wednesday, as well as planned observances Friday in Portland, where the shooting took place, and Washington, D.C, at 6:00 p.m. at Dupont Circle.

“Whether or not it was a hate crime, it was a crime against humanity and for that reason alone we must stand up as a human family and support all who are in mourning,” said Michael Diviesti, Texas co-state lead organizer for grassroots LGBT group GetEQUAL, in a statement. “When something like this happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.”

GetEqual is maintaining a hub for information regarding the many local vigils being planned at a portal located at getequaltx.org/vigil.

“[The vigil] was initiated by friends of the victims, but it has quickly grown to be of interest to advocacy organizations and advocacy groups all across the state, and I think that is particularly important in terms of the coastal area that includes Corpus Christi, because historically it’s not been an easy place for LGBT people to organize in some respects because people don’t have the level of self-safety in order to be out and open,” Equality Texas’s Smith told the Blade of the Portland vigil, saying the organization will participate and observe, but is not organizing the event. “There is some level of trepidation in that area in terms of being out all the time.”

“I’m pleased to see that it motivates people to speak up,” Smith continued. “I would like to see people be involved all the time, not just when horrendous crimes like this occur. If it is violence against LGBT people that motivates people to wake up and recognize that they can’t just sit on the sidelines and expect other people to work and advance our movement, then on some levels it’s a good thing.”

According to Portland police, a spent shell casing from a handgun matching the bullets that killed Olgin was found at the scene, indicating, according to the release, the shooting occurred at the scene.

The news comes at a time when the Texas LGBT community — particularly along the Gulf Coast — continues to face hostility.

Last year in Corpus Christi, the ACLU intervened on behalf of students after the Flour Bluff Independent School District denied the students’ request to form a gay-straight alliance at the school and school administrators attempted to shut down all extracurricular activities rather than let the GSA form. The school board intervened and the clubs were again allowed in the school, including the GSA.

The news also comes the same week the Texas Republican Party published an anti-gay party platform, writing, in part, “We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable ‘alternative’ lifestyle, in public policy, nor should ‘family’ be redefined to include homosexual ‘couples.’ We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. Additionally, we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction or belief in traditional values.”

The platform also calls for the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment, the repeal of any domestic partnership or civil union legislation anywhere in the country, and states its opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

According to Smith, Equality Texas does not operate a specific statewide hate crime reporting mechanism where Texans can seek assistance in dealing with a case of anti-LGBT bias crime or discrimination.

“It’s sort of more done on the local level,” Smith said, saying that while Equality participates in community-based hate crime task forces, and some police departments have hate crime liaisons, the system is a “hodge podge” that causes problems throughout Texas. “While we do have a statewide hate crimes law, it has not been adequately implemented. Law enforcement has not had the level of training that one would need or expect to have in order for law enforcement jurisdictions across the state to adequately enforce and use the law.”

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Arizona

Shooting outside gay bar in Ariz. leaves three dead

Tucson police investigating double murder-suicide as a hate crime

Published

3 hours ago

on

September 1, 2026

By

The shooting happened outside Venture-N bar in Tucson, Ariz. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Three people were fatally shot outside a gay bar in Tucson, Ariz., early Monday morning, about a mile from the city’s nightlife district.

Police have said the shooting, which took place in the parking lot of Venture-N bar at 1239 N. 6th Ave., was likely a hate crime and a double murder-suicide following a verbal altercation.

The suspect, Ousman Ceesay, allegedly shot Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara while they were outside the club around 12:30 a.m. Monday.

Reports show Capara and Siqueiros were pronounced dead at the scene. Ceesay died after being taken to a local hospital with gunshot wounds.

Police have also said that Ceesay was carrying a list of LGBTQ businesses at the time of the shooting.

Arizona Public Media has said police are investigating the case as a hate crime because the suspect was carrying a note containing the names of multiple LGBTQ-associated businesses.

“I am deeply saddened that another senseless loss of life has happened in our community,” Tucson Police Chief Monica Prieto said in a statement. “Bias-based crimes are especially heinous and have no place in our community.”

According to Prieto, there is no imminent threat to the community, and the Tucson Police Department is working to provide extra protection to various LGBTQ businesses across town.

Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, who represents the area, issued a statement condemning the act of violence, which appears to have been at least in part motivated by homophobia.

“I am disgusted and deeply saddened to learn of a targeted act of hate and the cold-blooded murder of two members of our LGBTQIA+ community, Vincent Siqueiros and Cameron Capara, at the Venture-N bar in Tucson last night. This horrific attack is a painful reminder that even in welcoming communities like Tucson, hate and violence against the LGBTQIA+ community still exist.”

“When that hate is combined with easy access to firearms, the consequences can be deadly. I am sick and tired of Congress refusing to lift a finger to protect our communities while, every day, dozens of people are shot and killed across the country. It does not have to be this way. The House of Representatives is returning to session this week, and our first action should be passing common-sense gun safety reforms that we know can save lives.”

Other federal lawmakers also condemned the shooting.

The Congressional Equality Caucus, which is made up of federal legislators advancing LGBTQ interests, issued a statement after news broke.

“Our hearts are with the friends and loved ones of the victims of this devastating attack outside a Tucson gay bar and with the Tucson LGBTQI+ community,” it said on X. “No one should fear violence because of who they are — and we’re going to continue fighting to build a world where no one does.”

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ organization in the country, released a statement following the shooting.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara and our hearts are with their families, loved ones, and the entire Tucson LGBTQ+ community. Once again, we are reminded that gun violence robs people of their lives, destroys families, and devastates communities.”

A candlelight vigil honoring the victims is planned for Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Catalina Park in North Tucson.

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Congress

HRC president campaigns for Chris Pappas in NH

Gay congressman running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Published

23 hours ago

on

August 31, 2026

By

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson, left, campaigns with U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in Manchester, N.H., on Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign)

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson on Sunday campaigned for U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in New Hampshire.

Robinson traveled to Manchester, the state’s largest city, nine days before the Sept. 8 primary that will determine who will vie for retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)’s seat.

Former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, who represented New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate from 2003-2009, will face off against former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, who represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate from 2010-2013, in the Republican primary.

Karishma Manzur is among the Democrats challenging Pappas.

A poll the University of New Hampshire Survey Center released on Aug. 26 shows Sununu is ahead of Brown. The same survey shows Pappas ahead of Manzur and his other Democratic challengers.

The UNH Survey Center poll shows Sununu ahead of Pappas by a 45-43 percent margin if they were to face off in the general election. The margin of error is +/-2.1 percent.

Pappas would become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate if he were to win in November.

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National

Milo Yiannopoulos deported to UK

ICE arrested far-right provocateur in New Orleans on Thursday

Published

4 days ago

on

August 28, 2026

By

Milo Yiannopoulos (Photo via Homeland Security @DHSgov/X account)

Editor’s note: The Department of Homeland Security on Saturday said Milo Yiannopoulos has been deported to the U.K.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday arrested far-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos.

A DHS spokesperson in a statement sent to the Washington Blade said ICE arrested Yiannopoulos, who they described as “an illegal alien from the United Kingdom,” at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

The DHS spokesperson said Yiannopoulos “legally entered the country” in New York on May 14, 2019.

“He chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws,” said the spokesperson.

The DHS spokesperson said an immigration judge on July 22 “issued a final order of removal” for Yiannopoulos “after failing to show up for his immigration hearing.” The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans on Friday reported Yiannopoulos is being held at an ICE detention center in Alexandria, La., which is about 200 miles northwest of the Crescent City.

“He will remain in ICE custody pending removal,” said the DHS spokesperson.

Yiannopoulos has, among other things, repeatedly targeted transgender people and Muslims.

The American Conservative Union, which organizes the annual Conversative Political Action Conference, in 2017 disinvited Yiannopoulos from speaking at that year’s CPAC after a video in which he appeared to condone sex between adults and underage boys emerged. Yiannopoulos subsequently resigned from Breitbart News, a far-right news website, where he had been a senior editor.

Yiannopoulos later that year married his boyfriend in Hawaii. The far-right provocateur in 2021 claimed he was an “ex-gay.”

The Australian government in 2019 banned Yiannopoulos from entering the country “on character grounds.” Yiannopoulos was also banned from Facebook, Twitter (now X), and other social media platforms.

Milo Yiannopoulos speaks at a “Gays for Trump” event during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Times-Picayune reported Yiannopoulos “most recently worked for” Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

The controversial rapper is scheduled to perform in New Orleans on Friday.

Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist who is close to President Donald Trump, has called for Yiannopoulos’s deportation. Loomer on Friday wrote on X that she “reported him to ICE and the FBI” after he “called for me to be assassinated.”

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