Jaquarrius Holland, Stephanie Montez and Scout Schultz, three of the trans people murdered in 2017 in the US.

A transgender woman has been shot dead in what is now the deadliest year on record for trans people in the US.

There have now been 24 murders of trans people this year – which, with two months still to go, is already more than there were in either 2015 or 2016.

The body of Stephanie Montez, 47, was found by the road near Corpus Christi, Texas, last week.

She had been shot in the chest, abdomen, and shoulder, the medical examiner said.

Police have indicated they believe her death was a homicide, but an investigation into last week’s death is in its early stages.

Her friend Brittany Ramirez told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times that she was shocked by the death.

“She just had a great outlook on life. She was very supportive of everyone.

“I don’t know why anybody would do this.”

Ramirez, 44, added: “She used to like to dance.

“She really enjoyed life. She was one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet.”

Local groups including PFLAG Corpus Christi have organised Trans Rights Rally, a protest in front of the federal courthouse which will take place on Saturday.

Last month, transgender 17-year-old Ally Steinfeld was set on fire after she died following repeated stabbing and gouging of her eyes and genitals.

Ally’s death came just days after 21-year-old Scout Schultz, a non-binary, bisexual, intersex student at Georgia Tech, was shot dead by a campus police officer who had no crisis intervention training.

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has faced an avalanche of criticism for his treatment of trans people.

In February, he revoked protections for trans students.

And in August, he announced a ban on trans people serving in the military.

As well as Scout and Ally, September also saw the murder of trans woman Derricka Banner, 26, who was found fatally shot in a vehicle in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Trans man Kashmire Redd, 28, was stabbed several times and killed earlier in September, allegedly during an argument between him and Doris Carrasquillo, who he shared an apartment with.

And Redd’s death came just weeks after Kiwi Herring was shot dead by local police in Missouri.

In August, TeeTee Dangerfield was shot outside of an apartment complex in Atlanta.

The murder of Dangerfield came just days after “comedian” Lil’ Duval went on the radio show the Breakfast Club and “joked” about killing trans women.

Duval, real name Roland Powell, said that if he found out somebody was trans after having sex with them, he would kill them.

41-year-old Mesha Caldwell was shot to death in Mississippi in January.

Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow, a 28-year-old who identified as trans and two-spirit, was found dead at her home in South Dakota in January. Joshua Rayvon LeClaire has been charged with her murder.

JoJo Striker, 23, was killed in Ohio in February.

Tiara Richmond, also known as KeKe Collier, was shot in Chicago at the age of 24 in February.

31-year-old Chyna Doll Dupree was shot and killed in New Orleans, also in February.

She was a celebrated performer in the community.

Ciara McElveen, 31, was stabbed to death in New Orleans two days after Dupree.

Jaquarrius Holand was 18 when she was shot to death in Monroe, Louisiana in February.

38-year-old Alphonza Watson was shot and killed in Baltimore, Maryland in March. She was described as the “sunshine” of her family.

Chay Reed, 28, was shot to death in April in Miami.

Brenda Bostick was a 59-year-old homeless trans woman who was found with severe injuries in Manhattan. It’s important to note that Bostick may not have identified as trans at the time of their death, according to the family.

Sherrell Faulkner died in May at the age of 46 after being viciously attacked in November in North Carolina.

27-year-old Kenne McFadden was found dead in April in the San Antonio River.

Kendra Marie Adams (Josie Berrios) was found in dead in June with severe burns on her body. Michael Davis has been charged with the murder of the 28-year-old.

Ava Le’Ray Barrin was shot and killed in Georgia at just 17 in June.

Ebony Morgan, 28, was shot multiple times in Virginia at the start of July.