This morning, we noted that an individual was shot and killed on the 6000 block of Dix Street NE. It’s now been revealed that the victim of the shooting, which took place around 4:30 a.m. at 6110 Dix Street NE, was a transgender individual.

Police have not currently classified the homicide as a hate crime, but have not yet ruled the prospect out, calling it “very early” in the investigation.

During a press conference today, Mayor Vince Gray specifically mentioned the crime. “If the investigation concludes that this shooting was the result of bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity, MPD and my administration will work with this community to see that there is an appropriate response to this kind of violence, which cannot be tolerated,” said Gray.

The D.C. Council recently held a hearing to discuss the city’s police response to hate crimes, during which Chief Cathy Lanier defended the department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, which police union chief Kristopher Baumann and others argued had been weakened during Lanier’s tenure.