Phylicia Mitchell was shot in the chest about 6pm last Friday outside her home in Cleveland's Edgewater neighborhood. She made it into her home before dying on the living room floor with one arm on her couch.
It is doubtful that the 45-year-old transgender woman was murdered because of her gender identity.
A 45-year-old transgender woman shot and killed Friday will be remembered for her devotion to hair styling and being a loving and caring partner and friend, despite battling drug addiction for most of her life, her longtime partner said.
She was a good person, even though she had a drug problem, she's a good person. "She got mixed up with the wrong people.
--Shane Mitchell
Shane Mitchell said he and Phylicia always considered themselves husband and wife, despite never officially getting married. They were unable to do so for years until the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015.
Shane Mitchell said he met Phylicia some three decades ago in downtown Cleveland after Phylicia ran away from what he called a "dysfunctional" family in Pittsburgh. The two quickly hit it off and began a relationship that spanned the rest of Phylicia's life.
Part of the reason Phylicia ran away from home is because her family was unable to accept her as a woman, her partner said.
Everyone loved her. My nieces and nephews opened up to her so much. She was just so funny and kind.
The two strengthened their bond during hard times. Mitchell said he helped Phylicia stop being a prostitute and she'd help him whenever he needed some money for bus fare. They were homeless at times and bounced around from place to place, but they'd always land on their feet, Mitchell said.
Phylicia got her GED from Job Corps. in Cleveland and trained as a hair stylist. He said she had several customers, including friends and relatives. They lived in poverty, he said. He works odd jobs, including as a house cleaner and general fix-it for a friend who owns several properties, and cuts hair on the side.
Shane Mitchell said he tried to talk Phylicia out of using drugs, and the two argued about it two weeks ago. He told her he could no longer live in an environment with someone using drugs, and the two separated.
We should have never started doing drugs together. We'd have both had an even better life than we already did.
--Shane
I miss her tremendously. That's my soul mate. We went together everywhere. We did everything together. We always held hands on the bus. Years ago people didn't respect that, but they do now.
--Shane