She was 26 years old, a black trans woman living in Lenoir, North Carolina. Originally from New York City, she had studied at Caldwell Community College. She previously worked for Wal-Mart and was working most recently with Tyson Foods. She was known to some friends as Ms Bow Wow and sometimes Derricka Lashae.

According to GoQNotes.com, Derricka was found shot and killed in a vehicle near 3 AM Tuesday morning in Northwest Charlotte.

She is the city’s 64th homicide of the year. Montavious Sanchez Berry, 18, was arrested late Tuesday and is being charged with murder, armed robbery and shooting into an occupied vehicle, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said in a statement. The shooting occurred in the 1400 block of Rosetta Street, not far from the Northwest School of the Arts, The Charlotte Observer reports.

Local media misgendered Derricka and used her old name. The preliminary obituary at the funeral home uses her old name and male pronouns. This creates confusion because the media and law enforcement opt for what’s simple and easy instead of what’s actually true. Sometimes the truth isn’t binary. The truth might require a few extra minutes to consult the GLAAD media guide and a few extra words to describe someone’s identity.

But crimes committed are also often not so simple.

Rest in power, Derricka. You deserved better. Your memory will be a tribute to the lives of your friends and family, as well as those of us who did not know you – but mourn your untimely death.

The list of trans people killed in 2017 thus far.

Resources in Western Pennsylvania that can use your donation to support black trans women and/or offer supports & services to those who need them. This list is not comprehensive. If you are in another region, use Google to find local trans resources.