A Black trans woman was approached, threatened, and chased while standing in the Edgewood Town Center just outside of Pittsburgh. A bustling retail shopping center, it is also home to one of the region’s trans competent health providers, Metro Community Health Center.
The woman who is protecting her privacy and safety by not using her name survived and is speaking out.
On Wednesday, July 16, she was targeted by a man wielding a knife while screaming slurs and chasing her through the parking lot aat Edgewood Town Center near the Giant Eagle. It was in broad daylight and she says people were recording the incident with their phones versus helping her.
She was simply standing there in a shopping center. He approached her and called her a “weird ass bitch” pulled a knife, and threatened her “Bitch, I’ll fucking kill you.” This woman is a part of the SistersPGH community. Sisters released a statement encouraging the community to support the survivor and calling on the District Attorney’s office to file attempted homicide charges.
She fled. She called 911. She made sure he was taken into custody. By herself in that moment and that’s a great shame. No one helped her. How much evidence do you need about fatal anti-trans violence before you understand you need to intervene? Call 911. Scream. Get her to safety in a store. Ask her how to help. The list of other things you can do besides record on your phone is endless.
The attacker has been identified as Darryl Dunn. He’s in the Allegheny County Jail facing charges of terroristic threats and ethnic intimidation. SistersPGH has put a call out for the community advocate for increased charges.
While Edgewood Police filed initial charges of Terroristic Threats and Ethnic Intimidation (Hate Crime), we’ve made clear that we believe this case meets the standard for Attempted Homicide. That decision now rests with the District Attorney’s Office, as the case moves forward.
This is the critical window for public advocacy.
We’re asking community members to respectfully contact the DA’s Office and advocate for this case to be treated with the full seriousness it deserves. Especially witnesses that were present at the Giant Eagle on July 16th 2025.Call the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office at:
412-350-4401
Sample script to use:
“Hello, I’m calling as a concerned community member regarding the case of Darryl Dunn, arrested after the attack at Edgewood Town Center. I respectfully urge the District Attorney’s Office to fully review this case and consider pursuing Attempted Homicide charges. The victim was chased and threatened with death while the attacker was armed with a knife. Black trans women deserve full justice. Thank you for your time.”
This man did threaten the woman. But he chased her, twice, with a knife verbally saying he would kill her. That’s not a threat to act, it is action. He tried to kill her. The SistersPGH release describe it as “hunting her.”
I’m not a lawyer, but I have been researching and memorializing violent deaths of trans folx in the United States for 12 years. In 2024, I wrote 40 memorials. In 2025, I have written 16 so far. What’s I’ve noticed in recent years is a significant increase in ugly vicious violence – not as much impulsive horrific choices as predatory, targeted plans.
In 2024, a 14-year-old trans girl was lured out by Grindr, then literally butchered with her body strewn about Mercer County. Her name was Pauly Likens. Nevaeh River Goddard was held captive and starved by her killer for nearly two years before he killed her with a sword. Ryan Zimmerman was also butchered by her lover’s spouse, then distributed around Ohio – the state. Just last month in DC, a trans woman was chased and brutally beaten by three young men. She survived.
That’s not the case for 29 year old Tahiry Broom of Cleveland who was shot to death by a man who had spent the day trying to connect with a Black female sex worker. Hunting them, I believe. Reyna Hernandez was kidnapped, then tortured to death. In Chicago, Redd was simply talking with friends on a sidewalk when a man who passed them returned – with a gun – and opened fire. Shot down in cold blood because she couldn’t run fast enough. Andrea Doria was sleeping on a sidewalk when she was violently beaten to death with a pipe by a stranger. The 2022 shooting death of Amäriey Lèį (Myara) in Wilkinsburg remains unsolved.
Note – there’s a chance for those people who took video to set things somewhat right by turning in their video footag to the District Attorney’s office and giving formal statements. After 12 years of researching and memorializing, I can say that when people come together with evidence, determination, and persistance – results happen. When people are silent or turn away, they do not.
Please consider a direct donation to this brave woman to help her recover and cope with the next steps. She deserves to know she is not alone. Her CashApp is: $EgyptianGoddess2024
Every dollar helps her recover and reminds her she’s not alone.
Also, please note that if you recognize her – she does not want her name made public.
The DA needs to know that we value the lives of our Black trans women neighbors and friends. Just like UPMC needs to know that we value the lives of trans youth. You taking the time to make these calls has an impact. And everyone who goes to Edgewood Town Center needs to keep it a safe space for trans women to access resources from groceries to healthcare.
The price of scrolling past or looking away is already abundantly clear. The question is what choice you will make.
I have a lot of respect for SistersPGH – they have moved mountains and changed the landscape. When people ask me where to donate, they are at the top of my list. Take a look at this 2014 blog post to learn why. While I am so sorry to have to write this post, I am grateful that it is a post about survival.
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