Transgender sex worker’s murder was ‘clearly targeted’ – SASOD’s Joel Simpson

The recent murder of transgender sex worker Shawn Simon Hooper, known as “Coil Bottle,” is believed to be a targeted crime, though some are hesitant to label it as a hate crime until the ongoing probe is completed.

Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Joel Simpson on Tuesday opined that Coil Bottle’s murder was “clearly targeted.”

“… it was a targeted murder.

“We don’t know the motive behind it and we are allowing the Police to do their work,” Simpson told reporters at the sidelines of an event.

Hooper was killed at approximately 02:00 hrs Thursday, near King Street and South Road, Georgetown. At the time, he was accompanied by another sex worker, who goes by the name Unruly Lilwattie.

Investigators arrested three suspects- including the alleged shooter– for questioning in relation to the crime.

Simpson emphasised that the Police investigation is being supported and other transgender sex workers, including at least one witness, has been encouraged to cooperate with investigators.

And he called for a “swift, thorough and bias-free” probe so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.