In Austin, Texas, a moment of bravery and compassion turned into a story of healing, solidarity, and justice. Construction worker Jarod Adkison was seriously assaulted after stepping in to defend a transgender woman who was being harassed at Barton Springs Pool. The attack is now under investigation as a potential hate crime, and the community’s response has shown the power of empathy in action.
On July 26, a group of women, including a trans woman, was spending time at the pool when three men approached them. At first, the interaction seemed harmless, but it quickly escalated when the men realized one of the women was transgender. According to witness accounts and police records, the men began using transphobic slurs, calling the woman “disgusting.” One of the suspects, identified as 28-year-old Joshua McKeith Bell, shoved one of the women to the ground. When Adkison intervened, Bell punched him twice, and another suspect, 29-year-old Matthew Robert Villanueva, struck him from behind, knocking him unconscious. Adkison suffered a broken jaw, a concussion, and damage to his ear canal.
Austin police later issued arrest warrants for Bell and Villanueva on charges of second-degree felony aggravated assault. The case is being reviewed by the Austin Police Department’s Hate Crime Review Committee to determine if the attack was motivated by bias against gender identity. Both suspects have since been taken into custody, and the investigation remains ongoing.
In the weeks following the attack, Adkison faced mounting medical bills and lost wages. As a construction worker without employer health insurance, his recovery came with a heavy financial burden. His family started a GoFundMe campaign that quickly went viral, raising more than $74,000 in donations. Local plastic surgeon Dr. C. J. Langevin offered to perform the reconstructive surgery at no cost, leaving Adkison responsible only for the facility fee.
Despite the violence he endured, Adkison has chosen compassion over anger. He told reporters he does not hold resentment toward his attackers and said he would do the same thing again if faced with the situation. “I think I did the right thing,” he said. “I would have felt awful if I hadn’t helped.” The transgender woman he defended described him as “an absolute angel” for standing up for her when no one else would.
This incident highlights both the ongoing dangers faced by transgender individuals and the importance of genuine allyship. It also demonstrates the deep kindness that still exists in the world when communities refuse to let hate win. Adkison’s courage and the outpouring of support that followed serve as reminders that action matters, that words of solidarity must be matched by deeds, and that compassion can transform even the darkest moments into proof of shared humanity.
As Austin police continue their investigation, the broader message remains clear: when people choose to stand up for one another, they create a ripple of change that reaches far beyond a single act of violence. In this case, one man’s bravery became a symbol of hope for an entire community.
