December 20th 2024.
In the late hours of Monday, tragedy struck as Cameron Thompson, an 18-year-old transgender teenager, was fatally shot. She became the latest victim in what has been a devastating year for the trans and gender-nonconforming community in the United States, with her death marking at least the 31st murder of its kind. Cameron's family home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was the last place she was seen before leaving around midnight, with only her phone in hand.
Concerned for her daughter's safety, Cameron's mother, who works the night shift, contacted the police at 4pm to report her missing. She had been trying to reach Cameron all day, but her calls went straight to voicemail. Tragically, the police were the ones who delivered the heartbreaking news to her mother at 1pm: Cameron's body had been discovered. She had been shot earlier that morning, outside of a residence on the outskirts of the city, in the 600 block of East 35th Avenue.
Cameron's aunt, Tara Maneice, spoke to CBS42 and shared that her niece had a bright future ahead of her. She was a young woman with a contagious smile, a passion for fashion, and dreams of pursuing a career in the beauty industry. Maneice tearfully expressed how all of those plans had been abruptly taken away in a senseless act of violence.
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Cameron lived with her mother and 16-year-old brother, and had recently graduated from the Job Corps training program. Maneice shared that Cameron had left home with only her phone, leaving behind her purse in her bedroom. A minor, who has not been named by the police, has been arrested and charged as an adult with her murder.
Police Captain Kennedy revealed that the motive behind the attack seems to stem from comments Cameron made on social media about the suspect's sexual orientation. He stated that the two were involved in a personal dispute, were acquainted with each other, and that was ultimately the driving force behind the assault and murder.
Cameron's family strongly believe that her death should be considered a hate crime. However, under Alabama law, crimes motivated by a person's gender identity do not fall under the category of hate crimes. Maneice has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for Cameron's funeral expenses, as her mother does not have a life insurance policy. She acknowledges the financial strain that comes with the approaching holiday season, but humbly asks for any assistance in honoring her niece's memory.
Cameron is one of at least 31 trans, non-binary, or gender nonconforming individuals who have been killed in the US this year, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Their names were: Kitty Monroe, Righteous TK 'Chevy' Hill, Diamond Brigman, Alex Taylor Franco, Meraxes Medina, África Parrilla García, Tee Arnold, River Nevaeh Goddard, Andrea Doria Dos Passos, Sasha Williams, Starr Brown, Kita Bee, Reyna Hernandez, Brandon Thomas, Michelle Henry, Yella Clark Jr, Jazlynn Johnson, Liara Tsai, Pauly Likens, Shannon Boswell, Kenji Spurgeon, Monique Brooks, Dylan Gurley, Tai'Vion Lathan, Vanity Williams, Redd, Kassim Omar, Honee Daniels, Santonio Coleman, and Quanesha Shantel. Tragically, more than half of these victims were Black trans women. And with 40% of them being misgendered or deadnamed by authorities or the press, it is believed that the true number of deaths is likely much higher.
Cameron's story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by the trans community. It is a call to action for all of us to stand up and fight against hate and bigotry in all forms. Our hearts go out to Cameron's loved ones and the countless others who have lost their lives simply for being who they are. May we honor their memory by working towards a more inclusive and accepting world for all.
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