Amos Beade, a transgender man, was found badly beaten and on the ground in a homeless encampment in Burlington, Vermont on the morning of May 25, 2016. The Police found him hours after the attack occurred. He was taken to The University of Vermont Medical Center for treatment. Beade died on May 28, 2016 due to head trauma, broken ribs and facial fractures. He was 38 years old.
Originally, the stated the prognosis for Beade was positive. This was not the case as he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning. The police are speculating that the attack was directed at Amos and it is currently being investigated as a hate crime.
“One of the things we’re investigating is whether the motive could translate to a hate crime,” said Police Chief Brandon del Pozo in a statement. “We have not reached that conclusion, but because the victim is a transgender person, we have to investigate the motive.”
“It is estimated that 1 in 5 transgender people have unstable housing, or are at risk or in need of shelter services.”
Though not yet known, this appears to be yet another in a long line of hate crimes against the transgender community. Beade was also homeless at the time of the attack. It is estimated that 1 in 5 transgender people have unstable housing, or are at risk or in need of shelter services.
The police are looking for two individuals, Rick Averill, 21, and Myia Barber, 23, who are both residents of Burlington. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the attack to call city police at (802)658-2700 or Champlain Valley Crime Stoppers at (802)864-6666.
