Police Investigating Whether Man Who Beat Transgender Woman Was Paid For Attack
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Police are investigating whether a man in custody for assaulting a transgender woman in Dallas was paid to carry out the assault.
Activists and community members are calling for justice after Muhlaysia Booker's attack.
Dallas police arrested Edward Thomas.
A bystander recorded cell phone video Friday, as Booker lay on the ground while men punched and kicked her and hit her with a brick. The video pans out as a crowd is seen standing around watching and shouting. The attack on the 23-year-old doesn't end until several women intervene and drag her to safety.
Booker was involved in a minor crash in the parking lot of the Royal Crest Apartments in south Dallas just before the attack.
Booker is a transgender woman and police say the people who hit her shouted homophobic slurs during the attack.
"We at Royal Crest Apartments are very disturbed by the video of the violent incident that occurred near our property on Friday. We strongly condemn any actions of violence or discrimination. While neither the victim nor the attackers were residents of the property, and the incident appears to have begun with a traffic incident, we are working to obtain all available surveillance video to assist the Dallas Police Department in their ongoing investigation. We are grateful for Dallas Police Department's diligent arrest of the suspect. Our prayers are with the victim, and we will continue to work with law enforcement to prevent violence in our nearby communities."
