Spokane police arrest 2 in assault on transgender woman

Published 7:31 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2015

SPOKANE— Spokane police say detectives have arrested two men in connection with an assault on a homeless transgender woman.

Police said Tuesday that a 45-year-old man was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault and malicious harassment in the Friday night beating. A 43-year-old man was arrested for investigation of malicious harassment.

Police say the investigation continues.

The Spokesman-Review reported that 150 people showed up at the Spokane City Council meeting Monday night to speak against such violence and complain about initial police response to the victim. The victim said police were disrespectful and referred to her as a man.

The victim says she was assaulted by two men who had been drinking at a bar.

A police spokeswoman told the newspaper that the officers’ behavior is part of the ongoing investigation.