Trigger Warning: This article contains discussions of anti-transgender violence, homicide, and graphic details surrounding the murder of a transgender woman. Reader discretion is advised, especially for those who may be sensitive to content involving violence or transphobia. If you find these topics distressing, consider reading with support or taking breaks as needed.
HIGHLAND PARK, MI — Justice has been delivered for Ashia Davis, a 34-year-old Black transgender woman who was senselessly murdered at the Woodward Inn on June 1, 2023. On Friday, her killer, 19-year-old Carlos Lamar Scotland, received a sentence of 17 to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and felony firearm charges.
The sentencing marked a somber moment for the transgender community, Davis’ family, and allies who continue to grapple with the unrelenting violence targeting transgender individuals, particularly women of color.
The Night of the Tragedy
On the fateful evening of June 1, 2023, Davis was found dead inside a room at the Woodward Inn on Woodward Avenue near 7 Mile. She had been shot execution-style in the back of the head. Scotland, who was only 17 at the time, fled the scene, leaving Davis to die alone.
Her murder, discovered on the second day of Pride Month, sent shockwaves through the community. It underscored the persistent violence against transgender individuals, especially Black transgender women, who face disproportionately high risks of being victims of violent crimes.
An extensive investigation ultimately led authorities to Scotland, who was arrested on March 12, 2024. Initially charged with first-degree murder, felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting police, Scotland later pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of second-degree murder.
Reflections from Friends and Advocates
During the sentencing hearing, Davis’ friend and transgender advocate Julisa Abad delivered a powerful victim impact statement. She recounted the horrifying night she learned of Davis’ death.
“Most people’s memories of their loved ones are good memories,” Abad said. “The last memory that I have is seeing my friend on the floor outside of the hotel corner room with black streaming all over the floor.”
Abad, the director of transgender advocacy at the Fair Michigan Justice Project, called attention to Scotland’s lack of remorse during court proceedings. “What we do know is that Ashia Davis was shot execution-style in the back of the head and left for dead,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “The sad reality is, particularly in the Black and brown community, men who are enamored with trans women cannot be themselves and have to resort to loving us in private and killing us in public.”
Abad’s words resonated deeply, capturing the heartache and frustration of a community too often confronted with violence and injustice.
For Davis’ mother, the sentencing brought little solace. “She’s my only child,” Davis’ mother told local news outlets. “She was just getting a job and went to school. I just don’t understand why this happened.”
Davis had recently completed nursing school and was set to begin her new job. Her half-brother, Alantae Martin, described her as someone who was “ready to take on the world” and “ready to care for others and give back to her community.”
A Growing Epidemic of Violence
Ashia Davis’ murder is a stark reminder of the violence faced by transgender individuals in the United States. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), at least 32 transgender and gender-expansive people were murdered in 2024 alone. In 2023, the year Davis was killed, that number stood at 35, as reported by the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. These figures are likely underreported due to misgendering and a lack of accurate documentation.
Kam Towns, a prosecutor with the Fair Michigan Justice Project, emphasized the broader impact of these murders. “Senseless murders like this in the transgender community just add to the fear that people already feel,” Towns said during the sentencing hearing.
Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative, called for action and accountability in the face of rising violence. “Ashia Davis was a beautiful human being who deserves at a minimum to be alive today, sharing her cheerful spirit with us,” Cooper said. “Anti-trans rhetoric and stigma perpetuate this violence. It’s beyond unacceptable that not nearly enough of those in power have spoken out against this inhumanity.”
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A Complex Legacy
Davis, also known as Asia to her friends, was remembered as a vibrant individual who was devoted to her faith, full of joy, and a loving dog owner to her Yorkie, Clyde. Her friend Allona Anderson, who knew Davis since childhood, described her as a loyal and loving companion. “We loved each other—that was a good friend of mine,” Anderson said.
Yet, the circumstances of Davis’ murder highlight the intersectionality of racism, transphobia, and misogyny. Black transgender women remain among the most marginalized and at-risk populations in the country. Their lives are frequently overlooked or undervalued, even in death.
While Scotland’s guilty plea and sentencing have provided some closure, the motive behind the killing remains unclear. Prosecutors have declined to label the murder a hate crime or disclose whether Scotland and Davis knew each other. As Abad noted during her statement, “Only two people were in that room that night and will ever know the true events of what happened.”
The Bottom Line
The murder of Ashia Davis is not just a personal tragedy—it is a call to action for society to confront the systemic inequalities and prejudices that perpetuate violence against transgender individuals.
During Pride Month, a time meant for celebration and advocacy, the transgender community was reminded of its vulnerability. But it also served as a rallying cry for increased visibility, advocacy, and systemic change.
As Davis’ story continues to echo within the community, it underscores the urgent need for allies, lawmakers, and community leaders to take meaningful steps toward justice and equity for transgender individuals.
For those who knew and loved her, Ashia Davis was more than a statistic—she was a beacon of hope, a kind soul, and a testament to resilience. Her death is a profound loss, not just for her family and friends but for the entire transgender community.
“She was ready to take on the world,” her brother said. It is now up to all of us to honor her legacy by working toward a world where transgender individuals, especially Black transgender women, can live their lives openly and without fear.
In memory of Ashia Davis, let us commit to amplifying the voices of the transgender community, advocating for their rights, and ensuring that no one else suffers the same fate.
