Rally to Honor Transgender Woman Killed in Rockville

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ROCKVILLE, MD — The weekend murder of a transgender woman in a Rockville motel will be the focus of a Friday rally by political advocates seeking greater protection for the transgender community.

Montgomery County Police are investigating the death of Keyonna Blakeney, 22, at the Red Roof Inn, 16001 Shady Grove Road. Authorities were called to the inn just before noon on Saturday, April 16, for the report of a death. Blakeney was found dead in a hotel room with trauma evident to her upper body.

The victim was assaulted and killed in her room early Saturday morning. Blakeney may have been working as a prostitute at the motel during that time, according to police.

While the state medical examiner has ruled that the death was a homicide, authorities have not specified how Blakeney was killed.

SEE ALSO: Death at Red Roof Inn in Rockville Ruled Homicide

Trans United Fund -- a recently formed political advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. -- will join Casa Ruby, TWOCC, Baltimore Transgender Alliance and others at 6 p.m. Friday at the Montgomery County City Council offices, 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. Organizers say the gathering will honor the life of Blakeney.

The murder of Blakeney is one of several reported recently, rally organizers said. Last week, just a few months after anti-LGBT advocates successfully worked to repeal Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance, transgender woman Shante Thompson, 34, was fatally shot in Houston.

“The endemic of violence against trans people continues unabated, and we fear could only increase given the vicious attacks on trans people nationwide by anti-trans politicians and organizations,” said Ruby Corado, executive director at Casa Ruby LGBT Community Center in Washington, D.C. “We all must take a stand to hold the police, public officials and the media accountable and do their jobs investigating and reporting this murder and others. We will continue to advocate for greater protections and resources for our trans family.”

Detectives ask anyone who may have information about the murder to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Solvers of Montgomery County is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s). Tipsters can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).