NCAVP mourns the death of Brooklyn DeShauna Smith, a 20-year-old Black transgender woman in Shreveport, LA

This post remains published for posterity.

The In Memoriam Page is the complete listing.

NCAVP mourns the death of Brooklyn DeShauna Smith, a 20-year-old Black transgender woman who was shot in Shreveport, LA on Oct. 7th. Brooklyn’s loss comes during a year of loss and grief, compounded by the global pandemic, in which we have tracked the deadliest year on record for TGNC people in the U.S.

Brooklyn was a student at Bossier Parish Community College, and studied cosmetology. Friends and family of Brooklyn have taken to social media to grieve her passing – her profile picture has been reposted over 30 times, with well wishes and grievances. “I can’t believe I’m seeing and hearing this,” writes one user. “This real deal touched me , rest up love,” writes another.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (318) 673-6955 or Shreveport Police’s main number, (318) 673-7300 x 3. Tips may also be submitted to Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373, one, via the P3 Tips app to offer information anonymously.


NCAVP stands in solidarity with Black trans women, and we know that it is always hard to read these reports of violence against our communities. We know this can be even more painful when there continues to be an unchecked epidemic of homicides of Black trans women, as police violence is escalating against Black and brown people, and our nation continues to be grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic that highlights long standing healthcare disparities for Black and brown communities. If you need support in these difficult times, you can always reach out to your local NCAVP member. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, you can reach our free bilingual national hotline at 212-714-1141 or report online for support.

NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.