The LGBT community in West Philly is reporting that a violent man with a gun is targeting transgender women of color.

This is nothing new. And we've been saying this for years that trans-women of color are in eminently more danger than most of the other folks in the LGBTQ community.

--Deja Alvarez

Three transgender women were held up at gunpoint Sunday night. Monday night a man was shot to death coming to the rescue of a transgender woman friend who was being robbed.

Police say the incidents occurred after "dates" were arranged on Backpage, a classifieds website. Descriptions of the gunmen are similar.

This person may be targeting transgender people and possibly sex workers. Because, again, they [the gunman] feel like they're [transwomen are] dispensable but they feel like they're an easy target. They feel like they either won't report it, or if they report it to authorities, authorities won't care.

--Alvarez

Spokesman John Stanford today said Philly Police are pursuing all leads, but can't confirm that the same man's responsible for the crimes.

A little too early for us to say that any particular group is being targeted as a result of people responding to Backpage ads or as a result of these incidents because again, we don't know that for sure at this point in time.

--Lt. Stanfotd

A statement issued by a local LGBTQ leader today describes the suspect as a black male, in his late twenties, medium height and weight wearing a skull cap and a puffy ski jacket. The statement also urges anyone with any information to call Philly Police immediately, especially if they've been similarly victimized.

In the effort of investigating we want to know if there are other individuals that have been the victim of similar crimes, similar in nature, similar style, whether it's Backpage ads or any type of incident.