The transgender community in Cincinnati is reeling after the tragic death of Laura Schueler, a 47-year-old transgender woman found fatally shot early Saturday morning in the Evanston neighborhood.
Cincinnati police officers responded to a call reporting gunshots around 6:50 a.m. on Jonathan Avenue. When they arrived, they discovered Schueler lying in the street with a gunshot wound. The Cincinnati Fire Department confirmed that she died from her injuries at the scene.
The Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation. In a brief statement Saturday, they did not release any details about a possible suspect or what may have led up to the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542.
As the investigation continues, Schueler’s family and friends gathered Saturday night to honor her memory. In a poignant vigil held at the very spot where she was found, candles were lit to remember a life cut short. They described her as a woman who loved fashion, cared deeply for animals, and was always there to lend a hand.
Curtis Johnson, a longtime friend of Schueler, voiced the anguish many feel, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community. “I’m hurt, I’m devastated,” he said. “This has to stop. I’m almost 50, and I go to more funerals for LGBTQIA+ people than I ever imagined in my life.”
Schueler’s death comes at a particularly painful time for the transgender community, as it coincides with Pride Month, meant to be a time of celebration and solidarity. Tyson Carter, another friend, underscored this cruel irony. “With her being a trans woman, I just feel like this is crazy during Pride Month,” Carter said at the vigil. “No time is right, but it hurts even more for it to be during pride time.”
Schueler’s friends and loved ones expressed a mixture of grief and resolve. Many speculated whether her murder may have been motivated by her identity as a transgender woman, though no official statement has been made to that effect by police.
The broader community, too, has expressed its sorrow and outrage over yet another life lost to violence. Vigils like the one held for Schueler have become tragically familiar to transgender communities across the country. According to national data, violence and homicide disproportionately target transgender women, particularly those of color.
As the investigation continues, Schueler’s family and friends are pleading for justice. “She was a generous soul,” said one of her cousins, who asked not to be named. “She didn’t deserve this. Nobody does.”
Community members are also being asked to come forward with any information that might help solve the case. Tips can be shared with CRIME STOPPERS at 513-352-3040, where callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for compensation.
For now, those closest to Laura Schueler are left to grieve and to keep her memory alive. Her death is a painful reminder of the dangers transgender women face, even as they are celebrated during Pride Month and beyond. The community’s call for justice rings out clearly: no more names added to the list, no more lives stolen by hate.
Update: 18-Year-Old Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Transgender Woman Laura Schueler
A significant development in the tragic shooting of 47-year-old transgender woman Laura Schueler: Cincinnati police have arrested 18-year-old Ajani Grimes in connection with her death. The arrest, made on July 11, follows the fatal shooting that occurred just after 6:50 a.m. on June 7 in the 1500 block of Jonathan Avenue in Evanston.
While the Homicide Unit has yet to disclose a motive or explain what led to the shooting, investigators are continuing to piece together the events that resulted in Schueler’s death. Her elimination sparked a candlelit vigil and balloon release, where family and friends remembered her as a vibrant force into fashion, animals, and community advocacy.
Ajani Grimes, now facing a murder charge, remains in custody as authorities continue to gather evidence. Police have not indicated whether hate is a suspected factor, and no further charges have been announced.
Community members continue to call for transparency and justice, urging anyone with information to contact Cincinnati Police or Crime Stoppers. As the investigation progresses, Schueler’s loved ones hope the arrest brings them closer to accountability and closure for a life taken too soon.
