Killing of Tony McDade

On May 27, 2020, after 11 a.m., Tony McDade, a 38-year-old African-American transgender man, was fatally shot by an officer of the Tallahassee Police Department at the Leon Arms apartment complex in Tallahassee, Florida. The shooting followed the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Malik Jackson on nearby Saxon Street earlier that morning. Police identified McDade as a suspect in Jackson's stabbing. Early reports and initial police statements referred to McDade as a woman; on May 28 the police department described McDade as a woman who "identified as a man."

According to background reported by family members, McDade had entered into a relationship in 2020 with Jennifer Jackson, a neighbor and the mother of Malik Jackson. Family members said McDade pistol-whipped her on May 25, and that a verbal and physical altercation occurred on May 26 involving Malik Jackson and other family members. Early on May 27, McDade posted a Facebook Live video describing having been physically attacked by a group of men the day before and vowing revenge, referencing possession of weapons and alluding to a possible confrontation with police.

Police Chief Lawrence Revelle told reporters that the responding officer stated McDade was in possession of a handgun and had pointed it at the officer, and that a bloody knife was found at the scene of Jackson's stabbing. Some witnesses disputed the department's account, alleging that officers used a racial slur and shot McDade after he had stopped moving, and that officers did not identify themselves. An allegation that the officer used a racial slur before the shooting was later stated to have been disproven by body camera footage.

The involved officer was placed on administrative leave pending investigation. On September 3, 2020, a Leon County grand jury determined that the police use of force against McDade was justified. Following this finding, the City of Tallahassee released police body camera footage showing McDade pointing a firearm at an officer before being shot.

The Florida Police Benevolent Association sued the city to prevent the officer's identity from being made public, citing Marsy's Law, which provides privacy protections to crime victims. In April 2021, a Florida appellate court ruled in the union's favor, allowing officers who kill civilians to have their identities protected. In November 2023, the Supreme Court of Florida reversed that decision.

The killing drew public attention and vigils, including one organized by the Tallahassee Community Action Committee that also referenced two other police-related deaths in the city. LGBTQ advocacy organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, issued statements of concern, and over 100 LGBTQ organizations signed an open letter listing McDade among recent transgender killings. Commentary at the time noted concern that McDade's case received limited attention within broader Black Lives Matter movement coverage. A GoFundMe campaign for McDade's family raised over $190,000 in its first week.