Ashia, also spelled Asia, Davis was a Black transgender woman from Detroit who was full of joy, devoted to her faith, and a loving dog owner to a Yorkie named Clyde. On the second day of Pride Month, at just 34 years old, Ashia was found dead in a Highland Park hotel room on June 2nd. Ashia’s death is at least the 12th violent killing of a transgender or gender non-conforming person in 2023. We say “at least” because too often these deaths go unreported — or misreported.

Ashia’s good friend, Allona Anderson, spoke to FOX2 News: "We’ve (known) each other since we were (children), since we were younger," said Anderson who is also transgender. "And we loved each other that was a good friend of mine."

Witnesses say that Ashia may have been shot, according to PGH Lesbian Correspondents. Michigan State Police are investigating and have not identified a motive. Anyone with information is urged to contact 855.MICH.TIP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

More than 10,000 hate crimes in the U.S. involve a firearm each year, which equates to more than 28 each day, according to a 2020 report from HRC, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, Giffords Law Center and Equality Florida titled “Remembering and Honoring Pulse: Anti-LGBTQ Bias and Guns Are Taking Lives of Countless LGBTQ People.” The report also notes a marked increase in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, especially against transgender people. According to the 2017-2022 Transgender Homicide Tracker, the vast majority of three-fourths of confirmed homicides against transgender people have involved a gun, with Black transgender women accounting for 73% of all transgender gun homicide victims. Further, advocates saw a 43% increase in the formation of anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups in 2019.