Season 6, Episode 8: “The Trade Massacre”
Saturday May 25, 2019, in Detroit, Michigan, the LGBTQ+ community was shaken by the brutal murders of Paris Cameron (she/her), a 20-year-old Black transgender woman, alongside two gay men, Alunte Davis (21) and Timothy Blancher (20). Known for her vibrant spirit and determination to live authentically, Paris represented joy, resilience, and the aspirations of so many young trans women of color navigating life against the backdrop of systemic transphobia, racism, and anti-LGBTQ+ violence.
This episode of A Hateful Homicide, “The Trade Massacre,” explores not only the tragic loss of Paris Cameron but also the calculated cruelty of her killers. The crime occurred in the home of a friend after what appeared to be a social gathering. According to prosecutors, 19-year-old suspect Devon Kareem Robinson—also known as “Demo”—opened fire, killing Paris, Alunte, and Timothy, and injuring two others. Robinson was later arrested, charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder, assault, and firearm offenses.
Paris’ pronouns (she/her) and her identity as a young Black transgender woman are central to this story, reminding listeners of the disproportionate dangers trans women, especially Black trans women, face in the United States. In 2019 alone, the Human Rights Campaign documented at least 27 violent deaths of transgender and gender nonconforming people, with Paris’ murder standing out as both heartbreaking and galvanizing for activists.
The trial brought national attention. Prosecutors emphasized the anti-LGBTQ+ motives, noting that Robinson had targeted the victims for their identities. In March 2020, Robinson was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. This outcome provided a measure of justice, yet for Paris’ family and the larger Detroit LGBTQ+ community, the pain remains raw.
In this episode, we honor Paris Cameron’s life and legacy. Listeners will learn about her dreams, the joy she brought to those around her, and the broader implications of her murder in the ongoing epidemic of violence against Black transgender women. Through survivor accounts, case files, and reflection, “The Trade Massacre” amplifies Paris’ voice and reminds us that behind every headline is a vibrant life extinguished too soon.
Ultimately, Paris’ story is not just about tragedy—it is also about resilience, memory, and the call to end the intersecting oppressions that make trans lives so vulnerable.
