After a month, police have little to go on in Bree Black killing
POMPANO BEACH – It’s been just over a month since a Black transgender woman was shot to death in Pompano Beach, and the Broward Sheriff ’s Office is once again asking for the public’s help in bringing their killer or killers to justice.
Detectives investigating the July 3 slaying of Bree “Nuk” Black, who used they/them pronouns, have not yet been able to determine whether or not the 27-year-old was targeted because of their transgender identity. Authorities don’t want the case to go cold.
“We don’t know (the motive). We can’t say,” Sheriff Gregory Tony said a news conference held Tuesday to call attention to Black’s slaying.
Detectives working the homicide have received very little cooperation from about 100 potential witnesses, according to the sheriff, who also said that tips from the public have been lacking.
“There’s been not one single comment that we’ve been able to use from an investigative practice, not a tip that came in from an email, not an anonymous letter, Tony said.
“Silence is not going to help us resolve this issue.”
Though Black’s family was not present at Tuesday’s news conference, Florida consumer advocate Nik Harris, spoke on their behalf.
Harris also highlighted prevalence of violent acts committed against members of the LGBTQ community.
“It’s a common problem in the LGBTQ community,” she said. “Most often these incidents go unreported.”
“In 2018, it was at least 26 deaths. In 2019, it was at least 27 deaths. We are midway through 2020, and we are already at 25 deaths. That’s the number of transgender or gender non-conforming people murdered in the U.S. (so far this year),” Harris said.
Harris also stated that, of those killed, the majority were Black transgender women like Bree Black.
Black was found fatally shot at about 10:18 p.m. July 3 in the 200 block of Northwest 12th Street, a residential neighborhood in Pompano Beach.
BSO deputies found them on the ground and shot multiple times. They were pronounced dead at the scene by Pompano Beach Fire Rescue.
“(It) happened on a very crowded, busy street, and we believe there were witnesses out there that may have seen something,” said Det. Louis Bonhomme. “We need them to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Bonhomme at 954-321-4377. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 or submit tips online at browardcrimestoppers.org.
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Monday unveiled a public awareness campaign urging Floridians to keep their distance and wear masks as a way to lower the risk of coronavirus infections in the latest pressure tactic aimed at Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ resistance to ordering a mandatory mask requirement.
“Not enough people are doing the small things to slow down COVID-19,” said Fried, Florida’s only Democratic statewide officeholder, at a news conference in Tallahassee. “To reopen our state and our economy safely, we must all be in this together.”
The series of videos feature famous Floridians, including Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning, U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez — a Republican. In a 16-second clip, Suarez is seen with his nose and mouth covered. He says he’s doing his “part by wearing a mask and keeping my distance,” and ends the spot with “be smart, Florida.”
Fried’s announcement