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Transgender Woman Killed In Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Police say a transgender woman was killed during an early morning shooting on Tuesday.

Police found the body of 35-year-old Coko Williams around 6:25 a.m. outside of a home on Parkhurst near Woodward, just north of McNichols.

Details are still emerging about the killing and no arrests have been made. Witnesses have stated that suspects in the killing fled the scene in a gold-colored car.

Residents in the neighborhood where Williams was shot said the area is known for prostitution. However, it is unclear whether or not Williams was engaging in sex work at the time of her killing.

Equality Michigan, a statewide anti-violence and advocacy organization, issued a statement that urges anyone with information to come forward.

"It is clear that sex workers are often targets of severe violence. Further, transgender women are far too often victims of the most severe violence ... We unequivocally offer our support to law enforcement and the community so that Coko Williams' killers are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice," the statement read.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detroit Police at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, online at www.1800speakup.org or by texting CSM and your tips to CRIMES (274637).

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