Man Arrested For Beating Muhlaysia Booker

Man Arrested In Texas For Beating Transgender Woman

A hate crime investigation is underway after authorities say a man brutally beat a transgender woman while hurling homophobic slurs. Muhlaysia Booker’s family identified her as a woman seen in a video being pummeled by a man after a minor traffic accident.

The Dallas News reports that Edward Thomas, 29, was arrested Sunday in connection with the assault that was recorded on video. He faces a charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

Authorities say Muhlaysia accidentally backed into another vehicle Saturday and the other driver, who is named as a suspect in the arrest-warrant affidavit but who has not been arrested, ran her off the road to keep her from fleeing.

The woman says the other driver pointed a gun at her and refused to let her leave unless she paid for the damage, according to the affidavit.

A crowd that included Edward Thomas then gathered and “a voice on the video” offered Thomas $200 to beat Muhlaysia. The suspect then put on gloves to accept the offer and punched Muhlaysia several times while people watched. Another suspect jumped in and stomped on the woman.

Muhlaysia was transported to a local hospital. She suffered facial fractures and a broken wrist.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings released a statement on the assault saying;

“Chief Hall alerted me this morning to the assault at the Royal Crest Apartments and I have seen a video of what happened. I am extremely angry about what appears to be mob violence against this woman. I am in contact with the chief and she assured me that the Dallas Police Department is fully investigating, including the possibility that this was a hate crime. Those who did this do not represent how Dallasites feel about our thriving LGBTQ community. We will not stand for this kind of behavior.”

Thomas remains in the Dallas County jail with his bail set at $75,000.

We sincerely hope Muhlaysia and her family get the justice they deserve. It’s obvious that several other people need to be arrested for their involvement.