Florida police have arrested 25-year-old Shanoyd Whyte Jr. for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, 21-year-old transgender social media influencer known as Girlalala, following an argument in Whyte’s car on November 14. Video footage captured a confrontation between Whyte and Harrison moments before her death.
Rapper JT donated $5,000 to a crowdfunding campaign aimed at covering Harrison’s funeral costs and made a post on social media suggesting that Harrison had previously experienced domestic violence. Harrison had expressed her admiration for JT by rapping along to her music in various social media videos.
Details of the Incident
Officers from the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Fort Lauderdale stated that Whyte allegedly shot and killed Harrison in the passenger seat of his vehicle following a “verbal argument which turned physical” around 7 p.m. local time.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed Whyte exiting his car, grabbing Harrison by the hair, and forcibly pulling her back into the vehicle as she attempted to leave. Police later recovered the firearm believed to be used in the incident and arrested Whyte near the crime scene. Emergency responders transported Harrison to a local hospital, where she was later declared dead.
Background and Community Reaction
Whyte had been in a relationship with Harrison for several years and formerly played as a defensive lineman for Bethune-Cookman University’s football team. He is currently being held at the Broward County Jail on a first-degree murder charge with no bail.
Harrison, who had gained over 291,800 followers on TikTok and 43,800 on Instagram, was known for her engaging videos showcasing her wig-styling skills and love for hip-hop. Following her death, fans recalled a prior video in which she appeared with a mark on her nose and spoke about a fight with her boyfriend.
A GoFundMe campaign for Harrison’s funeral raised $28,712, exceeding its $25,000 goal. Florida-based rapper JT contributed $5,000 to support the initiative. In an Instagram post, JT highlighted the seriousness of domestic violence, emphasizing that it should not be trivialized in any community.
Harrison’s family released a statement expressing gratitude for support during their time of loss and called for justice to be served. Notably, Harrison’s brother was also shot and killed in the previous August.
According to recent reports, black transgender women represent nearly half of the 36 known murders of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in the last year. The data indicates a worrying trend of violence against these communities, exacerbated by societal issues such as poverty and social isolation.
The recent surge in anti-trans legislation has raised concerns among advocates, with over 700 anti-trans bills introduced in state legislatures nationwide this year. The reports also indicate that incidents of gender identity-related hate crimes may be underreported, as many go unreported to authorities.
Approximately 54% of transgender and non-binary individuals have experienced intimate partner violence, a rate significantly higher than the national average. Individuals engaged in the LGBTQ+ community continue to face unique challenges, including widespread violence and discrimination.
