The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) mourns the double homicides of Ahmed Said, 27, and Dwone Anderson-Young, 23, which occurred in the early morning hours of June 1, in the Central District of Seattle. According to local media sources, Ali Muhammad Brown, 30, has been charged with two counts of aggravated first-degree murder, and may have targeted the two men using an online dating or hook up app. According to local law enforcement, police have not ruled out the possibility that this double homicide was hate-motivated. According to prosecutors, Said and Anderson-Young did not know their alleged killer, and there appeared to be no additional motive, such as robbery, for homicides. Brown is currently at large and is suspected in a recent car-jacking in New Jersey.
"We are very saddened by the deaths of Ahmed Said and Dwone Anderson-Young. Stigma often prevents us from talking about the occurrence of hate violence homicides that are related to hook-up sites and apps," said Osman Ahmed, NCAVP Research and Education Coordinator at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "That's why at NCAVP we are working hard to raise awareness about this critical issue in our communities. We must confront this type of violence in order to prevent it."
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) most recent report just released on May 29th, 2014, Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2013, documented 18 anti-LGBTQ homicides last year. Of those homicide victims, almost 90% were people of color, yet LGBTQ and HIV-affected people of color only represented 55% of total survivors and victims. In 2013, 27.78% of homicide victims were men, all of whom identified as gay.
NCAVP has been working with local organizations The Northwest Network and Lifelong to support the local communities affected by this violence.
"Seattle's East African, African-American and LGBTQ communities stand together mourning the loss of Ahmed Said and Dwone Anderson-Young and demanding action to stem the tide of gun violence in Seattle's neighborhoods," said Connie Burk, Executive Director of the Northwest Network, Seattle's LGBTQ anti-violence center. "It appears that it was illegal under both state and federal law for the suspect in these murders to possess a firearm, and yet Washington State lacks the political will to implement and enforce these laws to protect our most vulnerable communities."
"In the aftermath of the tragic deaths of two young Black gay men in the prime of their lives, we must redouble our efforts to support the most vulnerable populations. Similar to many young gay men of color, these individuals had to be resilient against racism and homophobia in an often physically unsafe environment," sad Ace Robinson, Director of Health Education, of Lifelong in Seattle. "Lifelong and our local and national partner agencies will continue to focus on creating an environment that is conducive to one holistic health."
NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an anti-violence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org .
NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer ( LGBTQ ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.
