PETERSBURG, Va. (AP) — Family members and friends are demanding answers and action after a 42-year-old Black transgender woman known for her community advocacy was killed in a shooting early March 13 in Petersburg, according to police and community members.
Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-Mccray, known to loved ones as “Mabel,” died after officers responded just before 2 a.m. to a reported shooting in the 300 block of Elm Street, the Petersburg Police Department said.
Police said first responders entered a residence with an unsecured door and discovered Sanchez-Mccray suffering from gunshot wounds. Some initial reports indicated she was found alive with multiple injuries but later died at the scene.
No arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Petersburg/Dinwiddie Crime Solvers at (804) 861-1212 or submit tips anonymously through the P3Tips mobile app.
Police response
In a statement, Petersburg police said investigators are “actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting” and urged community cooperation.
“We are committed to bringing clarity and justice in this case,” the department said. “We ask anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward.”
Officials did not immediately release information about a suspect or possible motive.
Family, community demand answers
Loved ones say the lack of information has only deepened their grief and frustration.
“We need answers. We need accountability,” a family member said in a statement shared with local advocates. “Shyyell deserved better, and we are not going to let this be ignored.”
Community members echoed those concerns, calling for urgency and transparency in the investigation.
“Too often, cases like this go cold or don’t get the attention they deserve,” said a Petersburg community organizer who asked not to be named for safety reasons. “We’re demanding action, not silence.”
Advocates also called on local officials to ensure resources are dedicated to solving the case and protecting vulnerable residents.
A life of advocacy and creativity
Born and raised in Petersburg, Sanchez-Mccray also spent time living in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she worked in an LGBTQ bar and was involved with the Nationz Pageantry system. She later launched her own catering business and started a pageant company, according to friends and associates.
In past public reflections, she spoke about the challenges she faced during her transition and the resilience it required.
In 2023, Sanchez-Mccray publicly addressed an incident in Charlotte in which she said she was targeted with racist slurs at a bar, prompting her to advocate for confronting racism within LGBTQ spaces.
“She didn’t just speak out — she organized,” a Charlotte-based advocate said. “She wanted change, not just attention.”
Friends and supporters noted that much of Sanchez-Mccray’s social media presence focused on advocacy — from promoting local events and businesses to sharing information about missing children, immigration enforcement activity, and community needs.
“She was always trying to connect people to help,” another community member said. “It’s devastating to lose someone who gave so much.”
Funeral arrangements
Funeral services for Sanchez-Mccray are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2026, at Johnson Celebration of Life Center in Petersburg.
Ongoing concerns
Advocates say the killing underscores broader concerns about violence affecting transgender individuals, particularly Black transgender women, who face disproportionately high rates of fatal violence in the United States.
“We are tired of mourning,” a regional LGBTQ advocacy group said in a statement. “Shyyell’s life mattered, and her legacy of community care should not be forgotten.”
As the investigation continues, family and friends say they will continue to push for answers.
“This cannot be another case that fades away,” a friend said. “We’re going to keep demanding justice for Mabel.”
