Zella Ziona — a striking, stylish transgender woman who was an inspiration to many — was found dead in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She was shot multiple times in the head. Learning of her death one friend posted on Instagram: “You helped me become the person that I am today. You encouraged me to be myself when it came to being the that [sic] I wanted to become.”
The 21-year-old Ziona was originally identified by police as DeAndre Smith before police revised public information releases and identified her as Ziona. She was shot in an alley behind a shopping center. 20-year-old Rico Leblond, who police say knew the victim, has been charged with 1st degree murder.
SHE HAS A NAME: Zella Ziona, killed last night in Gaithersburg, MD. She is 21st transgender woman killed this year. pic.twitter.com/eTMdqwXjik
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) October 16, 2015
MCP onscene of a shooting in 9600 blk of Lost Knife Rd. Adult female w/ gun shot wound to head. Police activity in area updates to follow
— Montgomery Co Police (@mcpnews) October 15, 2015
