Celebrating Pride Month, New York City Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared an article claiming there has been an uptick in “violent killings” of people who identify as transgender. However, a review by The Daily Wire found that none of the deaths cited in the article have been classified as anti-trans hate crimes by law enforcement agencies investigating the cases.
Discrimination based on gender identity or expression is illegal in New York City.
Trans New Yorkers are protected by law. Our City will protect your rights, defend your humanity and stand beside you without hesitation. https://t.co/Ptoy3nAKz4
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) June 1, 2026
The article was published by Them, which describes itself as “the award-winning authority on what LGBTQ+ means today — and tomorrow.” It claims to cite seven transgender-identifying victims killed this year, but both the report and its underlying source identify only six individuals.
Them
Several of the cases cited involved domestic violence or personal disputes rather than alleged anti-trans attacks.
The first victim named is Eryka Caldwell. According to the outlet’s own previous reporting, Caldwell was allegedly stabbed to death by his boyfriend, 38-year-old Jonathan Fernandez. Caldwell’s sister said he had previously sought refuge from Fernandez in domestic violence shelters.
Even organizers of a vigil for Caldwell acknowledged the case was not viewed as anti-trans violence. The activist who spoke at the vigil said, “When we were organizing for tonight’s vigil, a few people asked me why the trans community would rally for Eryka, since she was a victim of domestic violence, not anti-trans violence.”
Davonta Curtis was allegedly beaten to death by his boyfriend. Prosecutors say the suspect later stole Curtis’s car, phone, and money. Court records reportedly show the suspect searched phrases including “how to kill someone with a hammer” and “if a person gets hit in the head with a hammer while sleeping, what happens.”
Other cases were investigated as homicides without hate-crime designations.
Aleanna Royal Belcher was found dead in a homeless shelter stairwell with a stab wound to his abdomen. After completing their investigation, police said they did not believe the killing was a hate crime.
Lucas Redbeard Knapp was shot after reportedly intervening in a confrontation between two parties. Law enforcement investigated the death as a homicide, not a hate crime.
Another individual cited in the article, Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray, was found shot to death inside a home. Public reporting contains conflicting descriptions regarding whether Sanchez-McCray even identified as transgender or was a gay man who performed in drag. Authorities have not announced a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Dannielle Spillman died in a hit-and-run incident after a dispute involving a vehicle. Authorities have also not classified the case as a hate crime, just like the other five killings in the article.
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