Four individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged hate crime that left a 39-year-old transgender woman hospitalized in Renton, Washington. Among those arrested is 25-year-old Ramodre Edwards, who has been described as the main suspect in the attack. The incident unfolded near a transit center on Monday evening, prompting an investigation by local authorities.
Police reports state the victim first met with the suspects, who taunted her and got her into an argument. Later that evening, the four suspects targeted her again resulting in a brutal attack – violence which they had reportedly threatened earlier that night. Witnesses claimed that the suspects shouted homophobic slurs at the 14-year-old victim during the attack. Police initially stated that the assailants had “charged at her” before attacking her.
The described assault left the alleged victim with severe damage that required a hospital stay. King County prosecutors have charged those siblings, aged 15 and 17, respectively, with gun crimes, attempted murder and assault. These charges are assault, strangulation, great bodily harm, and a hate crime. As more comes to light, these two suspects ended up being arrested just blocks from the scene minutes after the crime took place.
A third suspect, arrested in Montgomery on the same day, is a 16-year-old boy suspected of assault and a hate crime. He’s been ordered to stay in electronic home detention while prosecutors decide whether or not to charge him. Ramodre Edwards would eventually be named as a second suspect after surveillance photos were released by the Renton Police Department. Those photos caught his unique facial hair, necklace, and denim jacket.
Edwards’ bail has been set at $300,000. A charging decision against him is expected on September 23.
The Renton Police Department is still conducting a very thorough investigation into the incident. The department discussed how community safety, protecting all communities from hate crimes, was a priority to implement the act. The victim’s condition is still serious as she is still under medical treatment.