Crime
Transgendered teens were gunned down in their car
By: Scott McCabe
Examiner Staff Writer
October 12, 2008
Deon Davis and Wilbur Thomas were two teenagers living secretive lives when they were gunned down in Southeast Washington six years ago.
Davis, 18, was known as Ukea, and Thomas, 19, went by Stephanie. They were transgendered — born male but living as females. Police have not ruled out the possibility that the killings were the result of a hate crime.
A year after their deaths, D.C. police said they had some promising leads and were close to making an arrest. They just needed a little more information to secure the warrant. Today detectives still are seeking that final clue and are looking for help from the public. They’re offering up to $50,000 if the tip leads to a conviction.
“One theory is that they were murdered because they had been flirty and the killer thought they were women,” said Detective Jim Trainum of the Violent Crime Case Review Project. “When he found out they were men, he became angry and cut loose on them.”
The killings happened Aug. 12, 2002, shortly after 3 a.m. The teenagers were in a black Camry at a stop sign at 50th and C streets SE, a half block from Stephanie’s home. Ukea was driving, with Stephanie in the passenger seat.
Witnesses told police that a dark Crown Victoria pulled next to the Camry. There was an argument. A male passenger got out, pulled a 9 mm semi-automatic and shot into the driver’s side of the Camry. The man climbed back into the Crown Victoria, which drove off. Minutes later, the Crown Victoria returned, and a passenger got out and used the same gun to shoot into the driver’s side window of the Camry.
The two were shot at least 10 times. Anyone with information can contact police through the tip line at 888-919-2776 or by text messaging 50-411.
Davis, 18, was known as Ukea, and Thomas, 19, went by Stephanie. They were transgendered — born male but living as females. Police have not ruled out the possibility that the killings were the result of a hate crime.
A year after their deaths, D.C. police said they had some promising leads and were close to making an arrest. They just needed a little more information to secure the warrant. Today detectives still are seeking that final clue and are looking for help from the public. They’re offering up to $50,000 if the tip leads to a conviction.
“One theory is that they were murdered because they had been flirty and the killer thought they were women,” said Detective Jim Trainum of the Violent Crime Case Review Project. “When he found out they were men, he became angry and cut loose on them.”
The killings happened Aug. 12, 2002, shortly after 3 a.m. The teenagers were in a black Camry at a stop sign at 50th and C streets SE, a half block from Stephanie’s home. Ukea was driving, with Stephanie in the passenger seat.
Witnesses told police that a dark Crown Victoria pulled next to the Camry. There was an argument. A male passenger got out, pulled a 9 mm semi-automatic and shot into the driver’s side of the Camry. The man climbed back into the Crown Victoria, which drove off. Minutes later, the Crown Victoria returned, and a passenger got out and used the same gun to shoot into the driver’s side window of the Camry.
The two were shot at least 10 times. Anyone with information can contact police through the tip line at 888-919-2776 or by text messaging 50-411.
