New York Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the death of a transgendered woman in a possible hate crime that occurred across the street from a police precinct.
21-year-old Islan Nettles and her friend, another trans woman, were out Saturday night around 11 pm near 148th Street and Eighth Avenue in Harlem when they met a group of boys. NY1 reports that an argument erupted once the suspect learned that Nettles was not born a female.
According to police, the suspect yelled anti-gay remarks and began punching Nettles. Nettles’s friend told police that when she ran away to get help, the suspect was on top of Nettles pummeling her in the face. The alleged incident took place across the street from a police precinct.
Nettles was initially conscious when she was taken to the hospital, but later lapsed into a coma and was declared brain dead. She died Thursday evening at approximately 6:45 pm.
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Police are investigating the attack on Islan Nettles as a possible hate crime and have the suspect in custody, though they are not releasing his name pending an upgrade in the charges.
In a joint statement, City Council Speaker/mayoral candidate Christine Quinn and Council members Robert Jackson and Inez Dickens condemned the attack:
“An attack against one person, or one community is an assault against all New Yorkers. We ask all New Yorkers to come together, to embrace our differences and to denounce hate violence. New York City’s greatest strength is our diversity and we must send a clear message that we will not be deterred by acts of hate. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
They also urged anyone with information about the assault to contact the NYPD or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
tdx3fan
NYC is looking more and more dangerous from anyone on the outside looking in. You could not get me to go there at this point. Whoever becomes mayor better be willing to stop all the empty words and actually do something to promote safety in the city. Hell, this happened across from a police station. Was the victim ignored simply because she was black!?!
2eo
From what I’ve read about NYC and the NYPD, being Black AND Trans is akin to walking around with a pink triangle in a certain nameless regime.
Cam
Across from a Police station?!?!?!?
And tdx3fan, overall NYC is much safer than most large cities, according to stats, the dangerous ones are Memphis, Houston, Detroit, Flynt etc…
NYC seems to be having a rash of hate crimes…OR….the media is FINALLY reporting them as hate crimes and not just claiming that they are muggins.
Dakotahgeo
@2eo: “… regime”? Errr, beggin’ yer pardon, but I think you meant the word, “region”! Unnngh!!! ROFLMBO!!! Another charter school grad-u-ate!!
twoguysbrooklyn
It does seem like it’s open season on gays here in NYC. Ironically someone threw paint on a statue of Jackie Robinson in Coney Island and the politicos came out in force with righteous indigation.
What do we hear after a series of gay bashings, even deaths… crickets.
In NYC.
It’s a disgrace.
that_dude247
My only gripe against trans is they are way too aggressive. I like men, not trans. When I politely tell them I’m not interested, they still persist.
bigbben
@that_dude247:
What does that have to do with this young girl losing her life to a band of senseless thugs. Stop making idiotic comments you daft moron. That_dude247.
qiguairen
@Dakotahgeo: If 2eo is referring the pink triangles Nazis made gays wear, then I think “regime” is a far better word choice than “region.” Nazi region? ROFL….. Oh, by the way, what is name of the charter school from which you graduated?
that_dude247
@bigbben: Whoa. Calm down with the name-calling, you internet bully. Trans people have to be smarter with who they approach, especially in that section of Harlem.
bigbben
@bigbben:
Yes, I am an internet bully when it comes to simians with low intellect.
So what you are implying is that the Trans woman above is dead because she came on to or flirted with a gang of thugs who beat her to death? Where does it state in the article above that she flirted with them prior to her death? Please tell me so that I can be on the same page as you. Clearly you have issues with Trans people and have had past situations with them. Thats fair and all, however, this is not the place to vent them when the topic is someones life being taken because of their sexuality. If you are a gay male I would hope that you don’t find yourself in the same situation or near death.
Teleny
@that_dude247: I am trans and have NEVER approached any men. I have had all sorts of men hit on me and even a few stalkers. But most people get the message if you politel let them know you are not interested. To suggest that this woman’s behavior ’cause’ her violent death is blaming the victim.
Remember the types that killed her make no distinctions between transwomen and gay men..
bigbben
@that_dude247:
Yes, I am an internet bully when it comes to simians with low intellect.
So what you are implying is that the Trans woman above is dead because she came on to or flirted with a gang of thugs who beat her to death? Where does it state in the article above that she flirted with them prior to her death? Please tell me so that I can be on the same page as you. Clearly you have issues with Trans people and have had past situations with them. Thats fair and all, however, this is not the place to vent them when the topic is someones life being taken because of their sexuality. If you are a gay male I would hope that you don’t find yourself in the same situation or near death.
Mike
It doesn’t surprise me this happened across from NYPD. They are about as redneck as they come.
villagefan
Perhaps we need to shut up about Russia and clean up Americas act…starting with the NYPD.
Kangol
Flagged because I asked that @Mike not use the term “re•dneck”. Not sure what’s up with Queerty’s flagging software but it stops the weirdest things.
Anyway, the rest of my comment:
Can’t you just respond to the terrible tragedy of this young trans woman losing her life?
I hope they find and prosecute the murderers and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
Cam
@villagefan:
That is an idiotic comment. Russia has declared legal open season on gays. What happened to this woman is not only illegal but if caught the attackers will be prosecuted under the hate crimes laws.
Sean
I personally knew islan, and from the moment I saw her, I was attracted to her, and AS SOON AS I INTRODUCED MYSELF, SHE TOLD MW SHE WAS TEANS! Apart from being beautiful and smart; she was confidant and comfortable being herself, wich probably left insecure people feeling jealous. She was very friendly and easy going, and did not deserve this. To BEAT TO DEATH!?!? why!!!!!! I hope her attacker is gang raped everyday, in prison