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WeHo Observes Transgender Day Of Remembrance

WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBS) — Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are expected to gather in West Hollywood Sunday for the 13th International Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The event, which is scheduled to begin about 1:30 p.m. at Plummer Park, aims to honor the memory of those who have been murdered because they are transgender and comes as police investigate two shootings.

The first occurred about 10 p.m. on Nov. 17, when a transgender woman, identified as 32-year-old Nathan Henry Vickers and known to friends as "Cassidy" or "Barbie," was fatally shot near Lexington Avenue and Gower Street in Hollywood.

About 45 minutes later, a second transgender person was shot at in Plummer Park during an apparent attempted robbery. That person was not struck.

Transgender Killing Suspect
Suspect Sketch (credit: LAPD)

Although authorities believe both incidents are linked, they have not classified either as a hate crime.

Police believe the suspect, identified as a black male, may be a transient. He is described as weighing approximately 150 pounds and is between 5'9" and 5'10" with a light complexion and light facial hair.

The suspect is still at large and is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with more information is asked to call detectives at (213) 972-2910.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was created in honor of Rita Hester, whose murder remains unsolved. She was killed on Nov. 28, 1998.

RELATED POSTS:
» Search Underway For Suspect In Transgender Shootings
» Transgendered Woman, 32, Murdered In Hollywood

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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