Just hours after writing about Cathalina Christina James’ homicide in Jacksonville, FL comes word of another sister whose life was taken. 58 year old Keisha Wells of Cleveland was found dead on Detroit Avenue in Cleveland early in the morning of Sunday, June 24.

Please note that the primary source uses Keisha’s deadname as does Keisha’s family.

Wells was found dead about 7 a.m. in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Detroit Avenue. Police said she suffered what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Eleven bullet casings were found at the scene, according to police reports. Officers also collected a leopard print shoe, a sweatshirt and a wig at the scene. She had no identification with her at the time, which caused investigators issues in identifying her, police said.

Keisha was known as Pokey and much beloved by friends and family. She has experienced a lot of personal loss recently, including the sudden deaths of her mother and brother as well as her sister lapsing into a coma. My God, that’s a lot to endure.

Keisha’s best friend of four decades, Sheila Jones, shared how much she loved dressing well.

“(She) always loved the most expensive high heels and stilettos, the hats and (her) expensive sunglasses,” Jones said. “(She) was the nicest person ever. But (she) was a tough cookie. (She) wouldn’t back down from anyone.”

No arrests have been made in the case. She’s the seventh person to be killed in Cleveland in the last six days.

No photograph of Keisha is yet available. I am in touch with trans activists in Cleveland to get more information.

Rest in power, Keisha. You walked with grace and humor even under great duress. You deserve dignity in your death and we will do everything possible to seek justice in your name.

The list that I’ve curateded of trans people killed in 2018 so far. Note that people and outlets reporting on these crimes have different numbers based on different factors – some don’t include officer related shootings, others don’t include non-trans GNC individuals, while others include any violent death including death by suicide. The most important thing that unites us all is that we want the violence to stop. We need to keep asking ‘Where is the outrage?’ During 2017, we lost at least 25 trans neighbors. May 2018 be more merciful. Sadly we are on track to meet or exceed the previous year.