Crime & Safety

Police Search for Suspects in Transgender Assault

Suspect in case refuses to turn self in after speaking with police.

Fredericksburg Police have identified a second suspect in last weekend's mob assault of a Bragg Hill transgender woman. 

A warrant has been issued for Fredericksburg resident Farkeem French, 19-years-old, charging him with malicious wounding by mob. Yesterday, police met with French and his attorney to discuss the investigation. French's attorney informs police that he will not be turning himself in. As of yesterday evening, French had not been arrested. 

French has no fixed address at this time, according to police, but it is believed that he currently resides in the Fall Hill Avenue corridor. 

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Police say witness reports have also identified a third suspect, but are not releasing his identity, noting that he has not been charged and police have yet speak with him. 

the incident occurred after the victim, who has declined to be identified in the press, became involved in a dispute over her dog running without a leash. 

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Later, Police say that a outside of a 7-11 on Fall Hill Avenue. Police say the 32-year-old victim was born male but is now living as a female. 

The victim believes that her transgender status played a role in her assailant's aggression. 

Police say the three or four assailants surrounded the victim, taunting her before violently forcing her to the ground. Once on the ground, police say the victim was struck with hands, feet and a discarded metal broom stick. 

Police say that they did receive a number of 911 calls reporting a large fight as the incident happened. According to witnesses who live nearby, the beating was stopped only after a group of neighbors confronted the victims assailants. 

The victim was able to describe her assailants, providing license plate numbers for two suspect vehicles and identifying one of the male attackers by a street name. Police believe all of the assailants to be local residents. 

Police have already arrested and charged 18-year-old Fredericksburg resident Laqueta Webb with malicious wounding by mob. Webb is behind bars at Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond. 

If the attack is determined to be motivated by the victim's gender identity, it will likely not have an impact on the severity of the charges faced by the suspects. Virginia's hate crime legislation makes no special protections for sexual orientation or gender identity, only classifying as hate crimes those which are motivated by the victim's race, religious conviction, color or national origin.


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