Off-duty police officer kills transgender sex worker in Turkey’s İzmir

İZMİR – Demirören News Agency

A transgender sex worker has been shot dead by an off-duty police officer, while two other people were injured in the Aegean province of İzmir.

The 23-year-old police officer, known only by the initials A.D., entered a house in the central neighborhood of Alsancak after hearing people quarrelling in a house, where one of his friends was inside at around 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 9.

The officer shot multiple rounds at Hande Şeker, the victim, and her colleague.

Şeker died at the scene due to two bullet wounds, said health officials, who arrived at the scene upon a call by neighbors.

Her co-worker was injured in her arm.

The police officer’s friend, a second-hand mobile phone dealer, was also injured from his foot by a ricochet.

The injured victim was hospitalized as the attacker and his friend were detained.

At least four transgender women were killed last year in hate crime murders in 2018, according to activists, who accuse the police and justice system of turning a blind eye to aggression against transgender sex workers.