A man accused of terrorizing the LGBTQ+ community is off the streets and under arrest, charged with multiple crimes.
Police told Channel 2’s Michael Seiden that they believe he was specifically targeting transgender people.
They aren’t releasing any details about those assaults or the victims and their conditions, but Seiden obtained police body cam video of the man’s arrest.
“Let me see your (expletive) hands. Show me your (expletive) hands. Get on the ground,” the officer yelled as they arrested Michael Boykin earlier this week.
Atlanta police said they received a tip that the 28-year-old, who was considered armed and dangerous, was spotted behind some apartments on North Avenue.
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Boykin’s arrest comes at a time when hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community are on the rise, according to local and national advocacy groups.
“There is so much stigma, misinformation, disinformation about transgender individuals,” said Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBTQ+ rights organization. “In 2023, it was reported that 2,800 acts of violence were reported to the FBI against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Almost 600 of those were specifically targeted at transgender individuals.”
Right now, police haven’t released any information about the victims, but investigators said Boykin is a convicted felon.
We’ve also learned that Boykin had additional warrants for numerous crimes, including aggravated assault, criminal trespass, battery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
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