Local
Trans woman escapes D.C. shooting attack
Police issue alert of ‘emerging pattern’
An unidentified suspect fired a semi-automatic handgun at a transgender woman at 2:45 a.m. on Sunday, July 31, just one block from the site where a transgender woman was shot to death less than two weeks earlier, D.C. police announced on Tuesday.
Police said the suspect missed hitting the victim in the latest case. But they said that since transgender women were the target in both incidents, “the cases are being investigated as a potential emerging pattern” of crimes against the transgender community.
“The victim was in the 6200 block of Dix Street, N.E., when a suspect approached on foot,” a police statement says in describing the shooting on Sunday. “The suspect asked for change and without waiting for a reply pulled a semi-automatic handgun and shot at the victim, without hitting the victim.”
The statement describes the suspect as a black male, 17 to 19 years of age, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds, with a dark complexion. It says detectives from the Sixth District are investigating the case.
The latest incident follows the July 20 shooting death of transgender woman Lashai Mclean, 23, who was attacked on the 6100 block of Dix Street, N.E. at about 4:30 a.m.
Police say they have yet to identify a suspect or motive in that case. However, in the statement released Tuesday about the shooting of the second transgender woman, police for the first time provided a description of two unidentified suspects in the Mclean case.
“The suspects are described as two black males in their late teens to early 20s,” the police statement says. “The first suspect is described as being 6-feet-tall with a thin build and light complexion,” it says. “The shooter is described as being shorter and having a darker complexion than the other suspect.”
The statement adds that the shooter “started asking a question, and without provocation” pulled out a handgun and fired, killing Mclean.
Officials with the D.C. group Transgender Health Empowerment, which had provided assistance to Mclean, said a transgender woman was with Mclean at the time of the shooting. The T.H.E. officials have said the woman, whose identity is being withheld, was cooperating with police in the investigation.
Police and residents living near the 6100 block of Dix Street, N.E., have said the area is a well-known night time meeting place for male-to-female transgender prostitutes and the male clients who seek their services. Transgender activists have said transgender women also socialize in that area and not all trans woman hanging out there are prostitutes.
The 6100 block of Dix Street is located less than two blocks from Eastern Avenue, which serves as the border line between D.C. and Prince George’s County, Md. Authorities have said that section of Eastern Avenue is also known as a night time gathering place for transgender sex workers.
“The Metropolitan Police Department’s Sixth District, the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU), and Prince George’s County Police Department have teamed together to enhance patrol efforts in the area where the crimes have occurred,” the police statement says. “The GLLU is focusing on making contact with people in the area. We will ensure that flyers are distributed on both crimes.”
The statement says D.C. police are also enlisting the support of community groups such as T.H.E. and other members of the transgender community to distribute safety messages to those who hang out in that location.
“Do not walk alone,” says one of the messages. The other says, “Report suspicious persons and activities immediately to us.”
Anyone with information about the Mclean murder or the latest shooting attack along the 6200 block of Dix Street, N.E., is asked to call D.C. police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME.
The department offers a reward of $25,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in D.C.
Rehoboth Beach
BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth
Attendees encouraged to wear appropriate gear
Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly leather happy hour. April’s edition is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate gear. The event is billed as an official event of BLUF, the free community group for men interested in leather. After happy hour, the attendees are encouraged to reconvene at Local Bootlegging Company for dinner, which allows cigar smoking. There’s no cover charge for either event.
District of Columbia
Celebrations of life planned for Sean Bartel
Two memorial events scheduled in D.C.
Two celebrations of life are planned for Sean Christopher Bartel, 48, who was found deceased on a hiking trail in Argentina on or around March 15. Bartel began his career as a television news reporter and news anchor at stations in Louisville, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., before serving as Senior Video Producer for the D.C.-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union from 2013 to 2024.
A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the IBEW International Office (900 7th St., N.W.), according to a statement by the DC Gay Flag Football League, where Bartel was a longtime member. A celebration of life is planned that same evening, 6-8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.).
District of Columbia
D.C. Council member honored by LGBTQ homeless youth group
Doni Crawford receives inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award
About 100 people turned out Tuesday evening, April 7, for a presentation by D.C.’s Wanda Alston Foundation of its inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award to D.C. Council member Doni Crawford (I-At-Large) for her support for the foundation’s mission to support homeless LGBTQ youth.
Among those who attended the event was Japer Bowles, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, who delivered an official proclamation issued by Bowser declaring April 7, 2026 “A Day of Remembrance for Wanda Alston.”
Alston, a beloved women’s and LGBTQ rights activist, served as the city’s first director of the then newly created Office of LGBTQ Affairs under then-Mayor Anthony Williams from 2004 until her death by murder on March 16, 2005.
To the shock and dismay of fellow LGBTQ rights advocates, police and court records reported Alston, 45, was stabbed to death inside her Northeast D.C. house by a man high on crack cocaine who lived nearby and who stole her credit cards and car. The perpetrator, William Martin Parrott, 38, was arrested by D.C. police the next day and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was sentenced in July 2005 to 24 years in prison.
Crawford was among those attending the award event who reflected on Alston’s legacy and outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ and feminist causes.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this inaugural award,” Crawford told the Washington Blade at the conclusion of the event. “I think the world of Wanda Alston. She has set such a great foundation for me and other Council members to build on,” she said.
“Her focus on inclusivity and intersectionality is really important as we approach this work,” Crawford added. “And it’s going to guide my work at the Council every day.”
Crawford was appointed to the D.C. Council in January of this year to replace then Council member Kenyan McDuffie (I-At-Large), who resigned to run for D.C. mayor as a Democrat. She is being challenged by four other independent candidates in a June 16 special election for the Council seat.
Under the city’s Home Rule Charter written and approved by Congress, the seat is one of two D.C. Council at-large seats that cannot be held by a “majority party” candidate, meaning a Democrat.
A statement released by the Alston Foundation last month announcing Crawford’s selection for the Wanda Alston Legacy Award praised Crawford’s record of support for its work on behalf of LGBTQ youth.
“From behind the scenes to now serving as an At-Large Council member, she has fought fearlessly for affordable housing, LGBTQ+ funding priorities, and racial justice,” the statement says. “Council member Crawford’s leadership reflects the same courage and conviction that defined Wanda’s legacy.”
Organizers of the event noted that it was held on what would have been Wanda Alston’s 67th birthday.
“Today’s legacy reception was a smashing success,” said Cesar Toledo, the Alston Foundation’s executive director. “Not only did we come together to celebrate Wanda Alston on her birthday, but we also were able to raise over $10,000 for our homeless LGBTQ youth here in D.C.,” Toledo told the Blade.
“In addition to that, we celebrated and we acknowledged a rising star in our community,” he said. “And that is At-Large Council member Doni Crawford, who we named the inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award recipient.”
At the request of D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) the Council voted unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026, to appoint Crawford to the Council seat being vacated by McDuffie.
Council records show she joined McDuffie’s Council staff in 2022 as a policy adviser and later became his legislative director before McDuffie appointed her as staff director for the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development for which McDuffie served as chair.
An effort to increase the number of psychiatrists of color
Calendar: April 10-16
BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth
Celebrations of life planned for Sean Bartel
The ‘X’ returns to court
Trump budget would codify expanded global gag rule
Police mental health struggles gain growing attention
Man faces first S.C. ‘hate intimidation’ charge
Cuba under pressure and without answers
