Texas trans group speaks out about shooting report

A person was reportedly shot around 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in the 10400 block of Richmond Avenue, according to Houston police. A person was reportedly shot around 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in the 10400 block of Richmond Avenue, according to Houston police. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texas trans group speaks out about shooting report 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Texas transgender representatives spoke out Saturday about a crime report in the Houston Chronicle covering the shooting of a woman Jan. 24 at a west Houston gas station.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of the service station at the corner of Richmond Avenue and West Beltway 8 around 11 a.m., according to the Houston Police Department. Police initially identified the victim as a woman, but then identified her as a is a 24-year-old man based on her driver’s license.

Austin-based Transgender Education Network of Texas responded Saturday to the original report with a statement posted on Facebook.

“The initial report listed her as a woman, but then later in the same report went on to state her gender marker identified her as male. Unfortunately (sic) this is a story that plays out far too often in our community. Due to the complicated process and financial barriers that our community face when changing our identification to match who we truly are many of us do not have the means or access to be able to have a state issued license or ID that identifies us correctly as who we are.

“Upon further investigation by members within our local community here in Houston we were able to confirm from multiple sources within the community that she is a member of our community and goes by the name of ‘Pinky’.”

Houston police described the shooting suspect as a black male standing about 5 feet, 8 inches tall. He was last seen in light gray sweatpants and a light gray hoodie. He fled in a light-colored SUV, which could possibly be a Honda make.

Anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect is urged to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message