For Immediate Release:
July 17, 2025
Contact:
Sisters PGH
Ciora Thomas, Founder & Executive Director
ciora.thomas@sisterspgh.org
(PITTSBURGH, PA) — A Black trans woman, a resident of Sisters PGH’s permanent housing program for Black and Brown trans people, survived a violent anti-trans attack on July 16 outside Giant Eagle at Edgewood Town Center. The attacker—identified as Darryl Dunn—pulled a large knife, chased her twice across the parking lot, screamed anti-trans and anti-LGBTQIA+ slurs, and repeatedly threatened to kill her as bystanders filmed.
While she survived physically, she continues to carry severe emotional trauma from the attack.
The attacker was arrested by the Edgewood Police Department and transported to Allegheny County Jail, where he now faces:
Terroristic Threats (M1)
Ethnic Intimidation (M1) – Pennsylvania’s formal hate crime statute
While Sisters PGH recognizes the filing of these charges as a step forward, the organization continues to press for Attempted Homicide charges, citing clear evidence of intent to kill and active pursuit with a deadly weapon.
WHAT HAPPENED — IN HER WORDS
“I thought I was going to die for existing,” the survivor shared. “I was scared. I was embarrassed. People stood there filming me being hunted.”
She had been sitting outside Giant Eagle waiting for her plasma donation appointment when the man approached.
“He said something like ‘weird-ass bitch’ or ‘I hate this weird-ass bitch.’ I wasn’t even sure. But I’m the only one there. Why are you saying that?”
When she asked, “Excuse me?”, he said: “Bitch, you heard what I said. I hate fucking trans women.”
He then pulled a large knife from his bag and said: “Bitch, I’ll fucking kill you.”
“I grabbed my phone to call 911. Before I could even move, he grabbed my purse and threw it across the parking lot.”
While on the phone with 911, she fled across the parking lot as he chased her with the knife.
“I was running. He was chasing me. This man was literally chasing me with a knife.”
He briefly entered Dollar Tree, but came back out, pulled the knife again, and resumed chasing her while screaming slurs and death threats. He eventually entered Giant Eagle, acting as if nothing had happened. He was arrested when he exited.
SISTERS PGH’S POSITION
“We’re relieved to see hate crime and terroristic threat charges filed,” said Ciora Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Sisters PGH. “But this wasn’t just a threat. He chased her with a weapon, screaming that he was going to kill her. That’s attempted homicide, and we’re pressing for it to be charged as such.”
The Ethnic Intimidation charge formally acknowledges this attack as a hate crime under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2710, which applies when a crime is motivated by hatred toward someone’s race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity.
NAMING THE HARM — THOMAS SPEAKS DIRECTLY
“Yes, a Black man did this. But that harm didn’t start with him. White supremacy, colonialism, and anti-Black patriarchy taught him to hate Black trans women. That doesn’t excuse him—but it names the system,” Thomas said.
“And it wasn’t just him. People stood there filming her like it was entertainment. Violence against Black trans women is normalized in this city and across this country. Silence is complicity. And I won’t stay silent about what happened to her.”
SISTERS PGH’S NEXT STEPS
The attacker is currently held at Allegheny County Jail. While Edgewood Police handled the arrest, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office now controls the formal prosecution.
Sisters PGH is:
Engaging the Edgewood Police Department for accountability regarding initial charges
Engaging the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office to advocate for Attempted Homicide charges
Monitoring the involvement of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Investigations, as necessary
WHAT SISTERS PGH CONTINUES TO DO
Provide safe, affordable housing for Black and Brown trans people
Offer wraparound care, crisis response, and direct emotional support to survivors
Advocate for full prosecution and systemic accountability
Name harm both within policing systems and within Black communities
Fight daily for Black trans women’s right to live safely in Pittsburgh
SUPPORT THE SURVIVOR DIRECTLY
Though she survived physically, the emotional trauma and psychological harm remain deep.
CashApp: $EgyptianGoddess2024
Donations will directly support her recovery, emotional healing, and basic needs during this time.
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Sisters PGH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Black trans-led organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We are committed to providing housing, healing, and community-based support for Black and Brown trans and nonbinary individuals. Learn more at www.sisterspgh.org.
About SisTers PGH:
SisTers PGH is a Black and trans-led nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, PA, founded by Ciora Thomas, that has been serving the community for 15 years. Dedicated to providing safe housing, resources, and support to the transgender and nonbinary communities, SisTers PGH is trusted, respected, and highly resourced by trans people in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The organization operates several programs, including Project T, Monica Roberts Place, and the Trans Resource Center, with a mission to uplift and empower the most marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community.