DALLAS — Performer Cashmere has passed away. The trans star was shot and killed early Saturday morning, according to reports.
Cashmere, aka Muhlaysia Booker, 22, was the subject of a shocking viral video in April that showed a mob beating and kicking Booker and shouting slurs. One suspect has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault. It is not yet known if Booker’s murder over the weekend is related to the incident; there are currently no suspects.
It has been a violent month in Dallas with 23 recorded homicides.
The Dallas Police Department [DPD] released a statement. “It is the DPD policy that we actively pursue murder suspects. We as a department hold human life dearly and precious as should everybody but we recognize not everybody does. So speaking directly to them — I want you to know that the DPD has never tolerated murder and we never will so understand that we will actively, aggressively pursue you. We need the help of the community and that will be our directive,” Assistant Chief Avery Moore said.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings expressed condolences on his official Twitter handle. “I am deeply saddened to learn of the murder of Muhlaysia Booker. I call on anyone with information on this homicide to please contact the Dallas Police Department,” he said.
Cashmere made her Black-Tgirls.com debut last summer and returned for a follow-up in March. Her debut was among the most popular on the site last year, said Steven Grooby, founder and CEO of Black-Tgirls parent company Grooby.
“Everyone at Grooby is shocked and saddened to hear of her death and we pass our love and compassion to her friends and family,” he said. “We have to do better. As a society, as allies, as friends and as family. We have to do better to educate, to inform and to normalize. We have to do better to stop this culture of violence that is being wreaked upon trans persons, and significantly on trans persons of color. Each and every one of us needs to look at what we can do to help end this scourge of hate against a group of people just trying to live their lives authentically.”
