Updated on May 31, 2016 with a statement from Police Chief Brandon del Pozo and information from the Pride Center.
The transgender man attacked
last week in a homeless encampment off Pine Street has died of his injuries, Burlington police said.
Amos Beede, 38, of Milton, died early Sunday, police said.
Police initially said they were investigating the attack as a possible "bias incident." Police Chief Brandon del Pozo released a subsequent statement:
The deceased was a transgender person who identified as male. The investigation suggests motives on the part of perpetrators independent of this fact. The department has not ruled out the victim's transgender status as a possible additional motive, and will seek to determine what role, if any, it may have played as the investigation continues. Until the attendant facts are clarified, we will continue to view this homicide as a possible bias incident. We will release further information as it develops.
VPR reported that police were seeking two "persons of interest" in the case: Erik Averill, 21, and Myia Barber, 23, who were described as local transients.
The Pride Center of Vermont posted a statement mourning Beede's death:
Amos, a resident of Milton, was a well-known figure along Church Street and within the homeless community. "Whenever he came into the Pride Center of Vermont, the first thing he’d do is pet my colleague's dog, Georgia, and give her a big hello," said executive director Kim Fountain. "He was always very cheerful when he came in to visit and spend time with his friends. He was out about being a transgender man and I think he felt at home at the Pride Center."
Beede suffered multiple blunt force injuries to his head and face on May 22, police said, resulting in broken bones and a subdural hematoma. The attack occurred near the Barge Canal.
Comments
Showing 1-1 of 1
Comments are closed.
From 2014-2020, Seven Days allowed readers to comment on all stories posted on our website. While we've appreciated the suggestions and insights, right now Seven Days is prioritizing our core mission — producing high-quality, responsible local journalism — over moderating online debates between readers.
To criticize, correct or praise our reporting, please send us a letter to the editor or send us a tip. We’ll check it out and report the results.
Online comments may return when we have better tech tools for managing them. Thanks for reading.