Washington, D.C. police are seeking help from the public in their investigation into the murder of Dream Johnson, a 28-year-old Black transgender woman who was fatally shot at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, in the 2000 block of Benning Road, N.E.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire and found Johnson suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite efforts by emergency responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Department is treating the case as a homicide and has urged anyone with information to come forward. As of this writing, no arrests have been made, and investigators have not disclosed a possible motive.
News of Johnson’s death has rippled through Washington’s LGBTQ+ community and beyond, renewing urgent calls for justice, safety, and dignity for transgender people, especially Black trans women, who remain at heightened risk of violence across the United States.
“She was a bright light. Dream deserved to live a full life, free from fear,” said a friend of Johnson’s, speaking under condition of anonymity. “Too many of us don’t make it to 30. We’re tired of being remembered this way.”
So far in 2025, at least 22 transgender or gender nonconforming people have been reported killed, according to the Human Rights Campaign. The actual number may be higher due to systemic misgendering and underreporting. Black transgender women, like Johnson, account for a disproportionate share of these fatalities.
In this case, Johnson has been publicly identified using her correct name and pronouns, a small but vital act of respect too often denied to transgender victims of violence.
LGBTQ+ advocates are now calling on city leaders to not only pursue justice for Johnson but to commit to long-term strategies to protect D.C.’s trans community.
“We cannot allow Dream Johnson to become just another statistic,” said one local advocate. “Her life mattered. We need justice, we need protection, and we need action.”
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling (202) 727-9099 or texting 50411.
Johnson’s death comes as yet another devastating reminder that, even in 2025, trans women of color continue to face disproportionate threats to their lives. While policy changes and visibility efforts are critical, the lived experience of many transgender Americans remains marked by daily risk.
Dream Johnson’s name joins a growing list of those taken too soon, but her life was more than a headline. She was loved, she mattered, and she should still be here.
TransVitae will continue to follow this case and honor Dream Johnson’s memory in future coverage.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support, please contact the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 or The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386.
