A Charlotte area Trans woman, known as Tiara Love Tori Jackson was shot dead sometime around 9:00 a.m. on the morning of September 26.
Jackson was residing at the Woodsprings Extended Stay Motel, located at 1625 Deboer Avenue in the Arrowood area of Charlotte.
Police were called to the area following sounds of gunshots. On their arrival they discovered Jackson, with a gunshot wound. She died before medics could take her to a hospital.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department a suspect identified as Darris Dee Martin, 33, has been arrested and charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Martin was reportedly arrested when police responded to another shooting incident at a different location, where he was reportedly found with a non-lethal gunshot wound. He was taken into custody and transferred to a local hospital for treatment before he was handed over to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department. Marshall reportedly appeared in court on Monday, September 29.
A report from Queen City News indicates investigators believe an argument between the two occurred at the hotel before the shooting.
According to a Facebook post a memorial service was held for Jackson October 3, along with a balloon release. Proceeds from a life celebration held that same day are reportedly going to Jackson’s mother.
Scant information is available about Jackson, although social media posts have provided some details.
“She was a pioneer not only in Saginaw but also Michigan and beyond. She was brave to be her authentic self in our small hometown, back before trans and non-binary were more acceptable,” wrote Jessye J. Blige.
Ra’Shawn D’Angelo Flournoy, Pastor of Rebirth Cathedral of Praise, First Vice President of the Charlotte branch of the NAACP and the Executive Director at Quality Comprehensive Health Center offered his thoughts about Jackson on his Facebook account.
“Tiara was unapologetically herself. Raw. Real. Relentless. Baby, she’d have a blunt in her hand and still be on Facebook live inviting people to church. And the truth is, because of that, she reached people we never could.
“She made the kingdom accessible to those who wouldn’t have stepped foot in here otherwise. She was proof that God can use any vessel to get his glory.
‘I’ll never forget those Sundays Midway through my sermon, here comes tiara walking in because it took her forever to get ready. No shame. No hesitation. No apology. She came in like she belonged, because she did. Didn’t miss a beat. And you better believe she always had on a heel when she pulled up! That was her signature, walking tall, walking strong [and] walking into the presence of God her way.
“Her car was her ministry. Her house was her sanctuary. Her life was her sermon. She opened her doors when no one else would, filled her car, and carried people into the presence of god. That’s who she was and that’s why this hurts so much.”
Originally from Michigan, Jackson called Saginaw her hometown. An upcoming memorial service and show is scheduled for Sunday, October 12 at Rob’s G Bar in Flint, Michigan.