An emotional vigil for a murdered transgender woman was held in the District Saturday evening.
According to police, Deeniqua Dodds was shot around 3 a.m. on the Fourth of July. The 22-year-old victim was rushed to a local hospital where she passed away Wednesday.
Dodds remained where she was raised, in a small apartment, surrounded by family, full of love and joy. But, Saturday, the home serves as a place of mourning. Family and friends stood in the rain, shed tears and recalled their favorite memories.
“Every time somebody knocks at my door,” said Dodds’ aunt, the woman who raised her, “I’m thinking it’s [Deeniquia].”
The tree in front of the home supported a wreath of flowers and photos of Dodds, or “D,” the name those who knew her best used called her.
As a child, she did what kids do, roamed the neighborhood, hit up the playgrounds and played school.
“He was the teacher; we was the students,” Dodds’ cousin said.
Dodds’ birth name is Gregory. When he transitioned into a woman, his new identity was not universally supported by his family. But according to his biological mother, you would have never known. She said he was always loved and supported.
Police flanked the service and handed out flyers and left them on car windshields. Police do not know who shot Dodds and left her for dead in the 200 Block of Division Street in Northeast, just blocks from her home.
The department is offering a $25,000 reward for anyone that shares information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
The funeral is scheduled to be held at Metropolitan Community Church Wednesday, July 27, at noon.
