Oklahoma transgender taxi driver, who helped organize his city's 1st pride parade, shot dead on New Year's Day
MCALESTER, OKLAHOMA: A transgender taxi driver was fatally shot behind the wheel of his car in Oklahoma just after the turn of the new decade.
Dustin Parker, 25, described as a "bright, young individual with a lot of potential," was killed in his taxi in McAlester, a city 130 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, just after 6:30 am on New Year's day, according to ABC News.
Sgt. Preston Rodgers of the McAlester Police Department said his cab had several bullet holes in it. He is believed to have been murdered just hours after his company, Rover Taxis, offered customers free rides home on New Year's Eve to keep people safe.
In a statement to the Human Rights Campaign, Rover Taxis said it was "devastated" at the loss of a member of their family. "Dustin was a steadfast friend, an amazing husband, and father and generous to a fault," they said. "He loved fiercely, worked tirelessly and took on life with so much hope and enthusiasm that his presence brightened all of our lives."
"His bright, young life was taken far too early. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts as we all try to pull together to get through these difficult times. Dustin will be missed, but never forgotten."
Parker was a founding member of Oklahomans for Equality-McAlester Chapter: Southeastern Equality, a local LGBTQ organization that offers resources to LGBTQ people and their families.
He was credited with helping organize the city's first-ever Pride Parade this past October and was well-known in the LGBTQ community in the city of 18,000.
Brian West, the owner of Rover Taxis and Parker's friend, said the 25-year-old not only wanted to help others avoid the pain he experienced growing up, but also encourage more people to speak up about human rights.
"Silence is complacency," he said. "You can't be silent about this. I'm gay. He's trans. That is a minute component of who we are as people, and it shouldn't define who we are."
Parker is expected to be laid to rest at 10 am on Monday, January 6. He leaves behind his wife and four children.
The 25-year-old is believed to be the first transgender or gender non-conforming person killed in the country in 2020, with police currently searching for a suspect in his death. They do not yet have a motive for the shooting.