A Kansas City man may face up to 50 years in prison after allegedly attacking a transgender woman in a brutal assault that authorities are investigating as a potential hate crime.
JoQuinn J. Moore, 26, was formally charged in Jackson County Circuit Court on Thursday, April 3, following a months-long investigation into a violent incident that occurred on November 18, 2024. Charges against Moore include attempted robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action.
According to a probable cause statement from the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), officers responded to reports of gunfire around 12:45 a.m. near 29th and Van Brunt Boulevard. Upon arrival, they found a visibly distressed woman with a head injury, later identified as the survivor of the attack.
The woman, who is transgender, told authorities she was approached by Moore while driving home. After a brief conversation, Moore reportedly invited her to what he claimed was a friend’s house. Once there, the situation quickly escalated. Moore allegedly began questioning the woman’s gender identity and threatened to kill her if she was transgender. Fearing for her life, the woman initially denied her identity.
When she refused a sexual advance, Moore reportedly became aggressive, pulled a firearm, and continued demanding that she “prove” her gender. After she admitted she was transgender, he allegedly told her to “accept that she is not a female” and struck her with the weapon.
The survivor managed to break free and fled the scene, seeking help from two nearby witnesses. Moore allegedly fired several gunshots as he chased after her. She eventually made it to a nearby gas station and called for help. Moore reportedly attempted to steal her car keys during the pursuit but fled before officers arrived.
Despite initial challenges in identifying the suspect, the investigation progressed after the survivor spotted Moore back near the scene on April 2. He was taken into custody that day. During questioning, Moore denied the allegations and claimed mistaken identity, blaming a supposed twin brother.
He remains held at the Jackson County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. A bond review hearing is scheduled for Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m., with a preliminary hearing set for April 30 at 2 p.m.
If convicted, Moore could face up to 50 years behind bars.
Trans rights advocates in Kansas City have condemned the attack, emphasizing the growing need for protections for transgender individuals, who continue to face disproportionate rates of violence and discrimination.
“This was not just an act of violence—it was an act of hate,” said one local LGBTQ+ organizer. “No one should be forced to fear for their life because of who they are.”
As the case unfolds, the possibility of additional hate crime charges remains under consideration.
