Killing of Tony McDade

• Malik Jackson, a 21-year-old African-American man, who was fatally stabbed. • Tony McDade, a 38-year-old African-American trans man. On the morning of the incidents, McDade stated on a Facebook Live video that he would get revenge on some men who had attacked him the day before. • An officer of the Tallahassee Police Department, whose identity was withheld under a controversial application of Florida law, who was placed on administrative leave == Background ==

In 2020, McDade entered into a relationship with Jennifer Jackson, a neighbor of his who was the mother of Malik Jackson. According to her family members, McDade entered Jackson's home on May 25 and pistol-whipped her. On May 26, McDade returned to Jackson's home and allegedly became verbally abusive. This led to a physical altercation with Malik Jackson and other members of Jackson's family. Early on May 27, McDade went live on Facebook to recount being jumped by a group of men, which had been a one-on-one fight before an insult caused four others to join, and vowed revenge. McDade stated he had weapons and planned to fight one of the men; He detailed his wounds from the altercation which included a bloody elbow and two lumps on his head. He potentially alludes to an attempted suicide by cop or gun fight with the man; == Killing ==

According to the Tallahassee Police Department they approached McDade on May 27, as a suspect in the fatal stabbing of Malik Jackson earlier in the day. The Department Police Chief Lawrence Revelle told reporters that; "the suspect was in possession of a handgun, and a bloody knife was found at the scene" and that McDade had pointed a gun at the responding officer. The officer reported this information over the department's radio frequency. Witnesses have disputed this, claiming that officers said "Stop moving, nigger!" and then shot McDade after he stopped moving. The witnesses also claim that officers never identified themselves or told McDade initially to stop his actions. == Investigations==

On May 27, investigations were launched into the stabbing incident, and the officer involved in the subsequent shooting. Shortly afterward, the City of Tallahassee released video from a police body camera showing McDade pointing a firearm at one of the police officers before being shot. However, the Supreme Court of Florida reversed this decision in November 2023. == Reactions ==

Separate vigils took place for both victims on May 28. On May 27, a petition was created to publicize the case, and for McDade to be recognized as a transgender man in reports and official statements. On May 29, Tori Cooper of the LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign said, "LGBTQ people of color are at greater risk for violence every day in this country. This must end. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn with Tony's family and friends." Over 100 LGBTQ organizations signed an open letter including McDade in a list of recent transgender killings. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $190,000 for McDade's family in its first week. Activist Nicole Cardoza expressed concern that McDade's shooting had received insufficient attention from the Black Lives Matter movement writing, "Throughout the protests, the stories, Black trans people who were victims of police violence, like Tony McDade, got lost in the larger conversation around Black Lives Matter." == References ==