Arrest Made in 2023 Murder of Trans Woman Ashia 'Charm' Davis
Prosecutor says a 17-year-old killed Davis in Highland Park last June
An arrest has finally been made in the shooting death of local trans woman Ashia Davis in June 2023. On Friday, March 15, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that 18-year-old Carlos Lamar Scotland, who was 17 when the killing occurred, has been charged with first-degree murder, felony firearm, resisting and obstructing police and carrying a concealed weapon.
As Pride Source has reported, there has been very little movement in the case publicly in the months following 36-year-old Davis’ shooting death in the 16300 block of Woodward Avenue in Highland Park. Human Rights Campaign reported that Davis was at least the 12th transgender or gender non-conforming person killed in 2023.
In a press conference Friday, Worthy described Davis as “beloved” by her community and noted that her nickname was “Charm.” She had recently finished nursing school and was preparing for a new job at the time of her murder. Worthy also talked about the Fair Michigan Justice Project, created in response to how the deaths of Black trans women frequently go “unnoticed.” As guest contributor and Fair Michigan Director of Outreach and Advocacy Julisa Abad noted in a recent Pride Source editorial, the group has helped police prosecute more than 41 capital cases with a 100% conviction rate. Abad also wrote about Davis in her editorial, describing Davis as her best friend of 10 years.
Scotland, who has been charged as an adult, faces up to life in prison if convicted. A probable cause conference is scheduled for March 26.
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