An 18-year-old from Highland Park, Carlos Lamar Scotland, has been charged with first-degree murder in the 2023 death of Ashia Davis, a 36-year-old transgender woman, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced. Davis, beloved in her community and fresh out of nursing school with a new job on the horizon, was found fatally shot in the head on June 1, 2023, in a Highland Park hotel room.
According to The Detroit News, Scotland, who was 17 at the time of the incident, faces additional charges including felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting and obstructing a police officer. His arrest came after an "extensive investigation" by the Michigan State Police, he was arraigned on Friday and will appear in court for a probable cause conference on March 26.
In a statement obtained by clickondetroit, Prosecutor Kym Worthy referred to Davis as "a generous and compassionate person." The Fair Michigan Justice Project (FMJP), a program created to address crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, has taken up the case, with President Alanna Maguire praising the partnership with Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in prosecuting such homicides.
The case spotlights the vulnerabilities faced by transgender individuals, particularly women of color. "When we talk about the LGBTQ community marginalization, trans women of color, specifically, experience the most violence," Julisa Abad, a director of outreach, transgender advocacy, and a victim advocate for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, told FOX 2 Detroit. She emphasized the impact of Davis's death on the community, noting that the average life expectancy of trans women of color is 35 years. Davis was just short of this age when she was killed.
Authorities have not yet disclosed if the murder was a hate crime, nor have they revealed if Davis and Scotland knew each other. However, FMJP Special Prosecutor Kam Towns spoke to the broader climate of hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community, "I absolutely feel there's a very big atmosphere of hate for the LGBTQ," Towns said. Despite the gravity of these issues, officials maintain their resolve to ensure justice for Davis and others like her. "We hope that will send another message to everyone, that we're serious about prosecuting these cases," Prosecutor Worthy stated.
