Tony McDade

Outcome

unknown

In May 2020, Tony McDade, a 48 year old Black transgender man, was shot and killed by police in Tallahassee. Police stated that officers were responding to reports of a stabbing when they encountered McDade and that he was shot during the encounter. McDade’s killing occurred just days before the murder of George Floyd and received comparatively little national attention, prompting criticism from activists who pointed to the marginalization of Black transgender people within broader conversations about police violence. Questions were raised about the use of lethal force, the handling of mental health and crisis situations, and the lack of transparency following the shooting. Tony McDade’s death became a focal point for protests addressing the intersection of race, gender identity, policing, and visibility, reinforcing demands that Black transgender lives be recognized, protected, and remembered within movements for justice and accountability.