Milwaukee transgender woman homicide; FBI seeks help
MILWAUKEE - The FBI Milwaukee Field Office and the Milwaukee Police Department are seeking information regarding the homicide of 28-year-old Brazil Johnson.
Johnson, a Black transgender female, was fatally shot near North Teutonia and West Garfield Avenues on June 15, 2022.
The FBI and MPD are seeking anyone with information regarding the homicide, or can identify the individual in the provided photos.
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Provided by the FBI Milwaukee Field Office
Johnson's mother, Bernitha Gildart, believes part of the reason her daughter was killed was because she was a transgender woman.
"It’s been tough, especially around the holidays," said Bernitha Gildart. "It’s just hard."
She said she does not recognize the person in the photos provided.
"I was grateful that something finally surfaced because I just know that it could not have been nothing," she said.
Brazil Johnson
After her death, the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Cream City Foundation, and Milwaukee Crime Stoppers contributed $1,000 each towards a Crime Stoppers reward for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of those responsible. As the President of Milwaukee Crime Stoppers, Attorney Michael Hupy pledged $25,000 to help the effort as well.
Johnson’s family said she was a chef and when she wasn’t cooking, she was providing a shoulder to lean on. So now they're standing tall for her.
"If you know anything and you can help reach out, you can say something. It’s safe to say something," her sister Phylicia Gildart said. "You don't know how many other lives or domino effects that could stop."
Her family now hopes someone comes forward with answers.
Bernitha Gildart, victim's mother
"It would be the world to me that justice will be served," Bernitha Gildart said. "The person that did this deserves to be punished."
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Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI Milwaukee Field Office at 414-276-4684.