In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through Miami’s transgender community, an arrest has been made in the brutal beating death of a homeless transgender woman outside the Miami City Ballet. Gregory Fitzgerald Gilbert, 53, has been charged with second-degree murder after surveillance footage allegedly captured him attacking the victim with a pipe while she slept.
The victim, whose identity has not been publicly released, was found dead outside the ballet company’s premises, prompting a swift investigation by Miami Beach police. According to authorities, Gilbert had been released from prison just seven days prior to the incident, having spent over a year in custody for mental evaluations and felony probation related to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The arrest has drawn strong reactions from the LGBTQ+ community, with Karen Curtis from the trans community expressing shock and grief over the senseless violence. Chairman of the Miami-Dade LGBTQ+ advisory board, Airel Trueba, has labeled the attack as a hate crime, emphasizing the vulnerability of homeless transgender individuals and the ongoing fears within the community.
Police reports indicate that detectives obtained surveillance footage showing Gilbert manipulating the victim’s body after the assault before disposing of the murder weapon, a pipe, in a nearby trash can. The discovery of the weapon led to Gilbert’s arrest and subsequent charges of second-degree murder.
Trueba has voiced concerns about the safety of transgender individuals, particularly those who are homeless, highlighting the need for greater awareness and protection within society. The arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities and the importance of addressing hate crimes and violence against transgender individuals.
