Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 28-year-old transgender woman, was shot and killed in Brooklyn, New York, on June 21, 2026. The suspect, Zohran Mamdani, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder.
Details of the Incident
The shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of Sutter Avenue and Van Siclen Avenue in the East New York neighborhood. Police responding to reports of gunfire found Chevalier suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, Mamdani was arrested shortly after the incident and is being held without bail. The motive remains under investigation, but authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime.
Community Response
Chevalier's death has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who are calling for a thorough investigation. "This is a devastating loss for our community," said a spokesperson for the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "We must ensure that justice is served and that hate-motivated violence is addressed."
According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 27 transgender or gender non-conforming people were killed in the United States in 2025, the majority of whom were Black or Latinx transgender women.
Legal Proceedings
Mamdani is scheduled to appear in court on June 23. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office confirmed that they are reviewing evidence for potential hate crime enhancements.
Chevalier's family has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses, raising over $15,000 as of June 22.
