In a case that has shaken Minneapolis and raised concerns within the LGBTQ+ community, 25-year-old Damarean Kaylon Bible was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Savannah Ryan Williams, a 38-year-old transgender woman. The sentencing took place Wednesday, following Bible’s conviction in August. Bible admitted to fatally shooting Williams after a brief encounter on November 29, 2023.
Williams’ tragic death, who was of Native and Cuban descent, serves as a reminder of the ongoing violence transgender people, particularly trans women of color, endure. Williams’ death is part of a disturbing national trend, with many cases going unresolved or unrecognized for the bias behind the violence. While justice has been served in this case, there remains an outcry for more comprehensive protections and societal change to prevent such tragedies from continuing.
A senseless crime
On the morning of November 29, 2023, Bible encountered Williams near a light-rail station in south Minneapolis. According to court documents, Williams approached Bible, and after agreeing to a sexual encounter, the two moved to a nearby courtyard. Bible later told police that during the act, he felt “suspicious” and subsequently shot Williams in the head at close range.
Police were alerted to the shooting after hearing gunfire and found Williams’ body at 9 a.m. Bible was tracked to his apartment and arrested soon after. During his trial, he offered no concrete explanation for the violence, aside from his feelings of discomfort during their interaction.
In court, Bible expressed some remorse, briefly stating, “I completely apologize. I feel like I do need to sit down and do some time.” However, his words did little to lessen the suffering that Williams’ family and community were experiencing.
Remembering Savannah Ryan Williams
Savannah Williams, fondly remembered by her family as a kind-hearted and humorous person, was a beloved member of Minneapolis’ transgender community. Her mother, Kim Stillday, emotionally recalled at the sentencing hearing that Savannah was her “best friend” and someone who “lit up every room she walked into.” Friends and acquaintances described Williams as “full of light,” a woman who was generous to her friends and always ready to help those in need.
Minnesota state Rep. Leigh Finke, a prominent advocate for transgender rights, noted the profound impact of Williams’ murder, stating, “Savannah had a right to live and should be alive.” Finke added that Williams’ death, and others like it, are “gruesome reminders” of the escalating violence against transgender individuals across the country.
Williams’ family, including her sister Gabrielle Stillday, also shared anecdotes of her kindness. In a December interview, Gabrielle mentioned how Savannah would often help her homeless brother, giving him her shoes and walking barefoot to ensure he was taken care of. “She was a very kind, loving person,” Gabrielle said. “My kids and my nieces … that was their favorite auntie because she was always good to them.”
A wider context of violence
The murder of Savannah Williams is just one of many tragic incidents that highlight the increased violence transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, must endure. National advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) have been vocal about the disproportionate impact of violence on transgender people of color. In an annual report released in November 2023, the HRC noted that 335 transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals had been violently killed in the U.S. since 2013. Over 85% of those victims were people of color.
The report revealed that 25 transgender and gender-expansive individuals had been murdered in 2023 alone. In nearly all cases, trans women of color, like Williams, have been disproportionately impacted. These staggering figures demonstrate the urgent need for systemic changes to address the roots of such violence.
According to the Williams Institute at UCLA, trans people are four times more likely than cisgender individuals to be victims of violent crime. Despite growing awareness and advocacy, the transgender community continues to face significant barriers in securing justice for crimes motivated by hate and bias.
In her statement following Bible’s sentencing, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty acknowledged the broader societal issue at play. “This senseless act of violence against a Native and Cuban transgender woman has left a family without a daughter, a partner without their person, and a community without the vibrant light that Savannah uniquely brought to every room she was in,” Moriarty said. “Savannah deserved safety.”
Moriarty also noted that while her office could not definitively prove Bible’s motive was rooted in bias, hate may have played a role in Williams’ murder. She emphasized that regardless of motive, “the fact that we could not charge this as a bias crime does not change the impact that this crime has had on making our trans community feel less safe.”
Seeking justice and ensuring safety
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, the sentencing brings some relief but not complete solace. Activists and community leaders argue that the justice system still struggles to fully address and recognize the depth of bias-motivated violence against transgender people. In Williams’ case, local LGBTQ+ activists had called for prosecutors to charge Bible with a hate crime. However, Minnesota law requires clear evidence of bias, which prosecutors felt was insufficient.
“The fact that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove this as a hate crime doesn’t negate the fact that hate and bias are often driving forces in violence against trans people,” said local activist and trans advocate Rae Fischer. “Until we can effectively address this, it’s hard to say that real justice has been served.”
In addition to Williams’ murder, 2023 saw other attacks on transgender individuals in Minneapolis, further underscoring the climate of fear. During a robbery in February, two men severely beat a transgender woman, but prosecutors later determined that the attack was not bias-based. Just a few months later, in August, a shooting at a queer and trans punk rock event in Minneapolis left one person dead and six others injured. These incidents have left the local LGBTQ+ community on edge, amplifying calls for increased protection and support.
A path forward: Preventing more deaths
While the sentencing of Damarean Bible brings closure to Williams’ case, it is clear that much more needs to be done to protect transgender individuals from violence. Transgender advocacy groups continue to push for legislative amendments, stronger hate crime laws, and more extensive support networks for LGBTQ+ people, particularly for those who are economically or racially marginalized.
“Justice isn’t just about punishing the perpetrator,” said Rep. Finke. “It’s about making sure that transgender people, particularly trans women of color, can live their lives safely and without fear of violence. No family should have to bury a loved one because of who they are.”
The increasing number of trans lives lost to violence each year emphasizes the urgency of these efforts. While advocates applaud the efforts to prosecute those responsible for these heinous acts, they stress that prevention must be the priority. “We can’t wait for more victims,” Fischer said. “We need to create a world where trans lives are valued, protected, and celebrated, not cut short by violence.”
As the transgender community continues to mourn the loss of Savannah Williams, her memory serves as a stark reminder of the work ahead. Advocates, allies, and community members are pushing for a future where justice does not come only after another tragic death but where such violence no longer exists. The journey to that future is long, but for the sake of all transgender lives, it is one that must be pursued relentlessly.
For resources on supporting transgender rights and ensuring safety for transgender individuals, visit national advocacy organizations like HRC.
Staff note: The TransVitae community mourns the loss of Savannah Ryan Williams alongside her family and loved ones. While justice has been served in her case, we must continue to advocate for the safety and dignity of all transgender individuals. No one should be targeted for violence based on their identity.
