Standing Watch

Last Wednesday, at 2:30 pm, Washington DC metro police responded to an assault call at the 200 block of Q Street in the northwest part of the city. Police described the scene as “blood soaked,” and said it appears the stabbing occurred in one part of the block, and the victims may have fled to the location they were found in. It is unknown if the weapon used was recovered or not.

 One victim, identified by police as Joshua Mack, 21, a biological male living full time as a woman using the street name “Nana Boo,” was pronounced dead at Howard University Hospital. The second victim has not been identified, since she is also a witness to the crime (per DCPD policy), but was identified also as a trans-woman. Police also said they were as yet uncertain of the identity of the surviving victim, who is expected to recover.

According to police officials, the survivor said anti-gay slurs may have been used during the attack, but that the victim was unsure. As such, police are still investigating, and are reluctant to classify the murder and attempted murder as hate crimes until they receive definitive proof.

DC Police are asking that anyone with knowledge of the attacks contact them at 888-919-2746 or send a text message to 50411. The department pledged to honor requests for anonymity. A $25,000 reward is offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Mack’s murder.