The mother of a recent Toledo homicide victim believes her transgender daughter was killed in a hate crime.
Authorities last week found the body of DeMajio Striker, 23, inside a vacant garage in the 200 block of Austin Street. She suffered a gunshot wound in her torso.
At this point, police have not determined a motive or suspect.
Miss Striker’s mother, Shanda Striker, learned about the death when the woman was identified Friday. The past several days have been difficult for her family.
“I’m just barely staying above the water, but I’m constantly being grounded by the support and help I’m getting right now,” said Ms. Striker, 43, of Toledo. “I grieve in my own time, my own way, and I definitely haven’t done that yet.”
She described her daughter as funny and entertaining, but standoffish with few friends. The two had not spoken for a year. Ms. Striker remained her “biggest fan” and backer throughout life, she said.
“Everybody loved DeMajio. Everybody did. I just wish it didn’t come to all of this while we were not speaking,” she said.
Miss Striker had attended Horizon Science Academy and had three younger siblings, her mother said.
Nick Komives, chief of Equality Toledo, said his group will reach out to Ms. Striker to provide any help. Incidents involving violence against transgender people are high, he said.
“We hope that throughout the continued investigation by the police, they don’t immediately rule out the possibility of a hate crime,” Mr. Komives said.
Authorities believe the shooting occurred at or near the garage, said Lt. Joe Heffernan, police spokesman. Her body was found on Wednesday.
“My hope is we will get some evidence that will take us in the direction of a suspect, and from there will hopefully be able to determine why he did this to the victim,” Lieutenant Heffernan said.
Those with information are asked to call the Crime Stopper program at 419-255-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.
Contact Ryan Dunn at: rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @rdunnblade.
First Published February 15, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
