The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is still searching for the suspect who shot and killed 23-year-old Kenji Spurgeon, a Black Transgender woman, during the early hours of July 1.

Spurgeon's murder marked the second killing of a Transgender person in Washington state this year. Earlier, the SGN reported on the slaying of Reyna Hernandez, a Trans Latina resident of Renton who was found dead in a Mexico cemetery bound by her hands and feet and shot in the head.

On July 1, dispatchers received a report of a shooting on E. Pine Street shortly before 12:30 a.m. Law enforcement officers found Spurgeon lying on the ground with a gunshot wound, and provided first aid until the Seattle Fire Department arrived on scene, whereupon Spurgeon was pronounced deceased, according to the SPD Blotter, which states that the circumstances leading up the shooting remain unknown.

"It's an incredibly close community, and everybody's trying to look out for each other," SPD's Sgt. Patrick Michaud told the SGN. "The most important thing we can ask of the community is that if somebody knows anything, please call us."

Sgt. Michaud said that if someone has a small bit of information that they don't think is pertinent to this case that it's could be the key to solving the case and getting closure for the Spurgeon family.

"I know it's not what anyone wants — they'd rather have Kenji back than closure on this," Sgt. Michaud said.

A GoFundMe page was launched this summer to assist the Spurgeon family with funeral costs, and it met its goal.

"Kenji was a bright light in our lives, known for an infectious smile and quick wit. Kenji had an extraordinary ability to uplift everyone around with laughter, a joke, a song, or a dance. Kenji inspired us all to seek joy and be cheerleaders for one another," wrote Malia Burns, who organized the fundraiser on behalf of the family.

Sgt. Michaud said the East Precinct in Capitol Hill is focused on crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. During warm weather, the SPD places greater emphasis on patrols outside of bars and clubs in the area, according to Sgt. Michaud, who also acknowledged how historically, officers have not treated Transgender people properly.

"The fears they have are valid. The concerns they have are valid," he said. "We have quite a few Transgender officers, so it's something that we're trying to be more accepting of on our end — [and] control the things we can control within our department, so that people feel comfortable coming to us and speaking to us, and bridge those gaps that have historically been there, and do our damnedest to make sure everybody in our neighborhoods feel welcome."

Concerns about violent crimes involving LGBTQ+ people stem partially from those visiting Capitol Hill's vibrant nightlife.

"There's a lot of concern there, because you don't know where people are coming from, and they bring whatever beliefs they have in here and they cause problems," Sgt. Michaud said.


Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.