Philadelphia Police Arrest Man in Slaying of Transgender Woman

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Philadelphia police Sunday arrested a man they believe was involved in the brutal killing of Keisha Jenkins, a transgender woman who was beaten and shot last week.

According to NBC New York, a tip led to the arrest of Pedro Redding, who, police say, has a history of violence. Redding, 24, has been arraigned on murder, conspiracy and weapons charges. Police are still searching for three other men suspected of attacking and killing Jenkins.

Homicide Police Capt. James Clark told reporters during a press conference that they don't believe Jenkins' killing was a hate crime and added that Redding and a group of "neighborhood individuals" reportedly target victims in the area, which is known for prostitution. Clark added that he does not believe that Redding was the triggerman.

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On Oct. 6, Jenkins, 22, was exiting a vehicle around 2:30 a.m. when a group of men jumped and beat her. Jenkins fell to the ground and was shot twice in the back by one of the men, NBC New York reports.

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"They rob a lot of different types of individuals," Clark said. "They just so happened that night to [target] Keisha," adding that he believed the killing to be random.

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On Monday a judge denied Redding bail and sent the 24-year-old, who lives near the crime scene, to jail to await a preliminary hearing. At the time of his arrest, Redding was on five years' probation after previously pleading guilty to aggravated assault and weapons charges in an unrelated 2014 incident, according to court records viewed by NBC New York. 

Clark said he is hopeful that police will catch the other three men wanted in Jenkins' slaying quickly. Police are offering a $20,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of those suspects.

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Read more at NBC New York