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Columbus Trans Woman Dies from Injuries Sustained in 2022 Shooting — Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents
The Crime
Kassim Omar, 29, was a trans woman and former refugee born in Somalia. She died in adopted home of Columbus, Ohio on September 6, 2024, two years after being shot and paralyzed by two teenagers.
Earlier this year, Kassim told the Columbus Dispatch that on that fateful night, she was sitting on the porch with other people. The teens approached her from behind and shot her. Kassim claimed that they were motivated by hatred of her identity. At the time the shooters were 16 and 12 years old. The 16 year old was sentenced to seven years. The younger shooter was deemed unfit for trial.
Kassim died of injuries from the shooting. Police have filed murder charges against the now 18 and 14 year old shooters.
Honoring Kassim
Born in Somalia, Kassim fled violence with her family, seeking haven in Kenya. Kassim was able to emigrate to the United States in 2015.
After she was shot, Kassim spent most of her time in bed at an East Side nursing home, able to speak but do little else. She had few visitors, but maintained video contact with her family living in a refugee camp in Kenya. Kassim has started their refugee paperwork in 2017…
