A Fulton County judge has set bail for a man accused of targeting transgender women.
Last week, Atlanta police released body camera video showing the arrest of Michael Boykin.
A security guard who witnessed one of the attacks told police that Boykin has a long history of attacking transgender people and police believe there may be more victims.
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Boykin was arrested by Atlanta police last week after officers spotted him behind an apartment complex on North Avenue, about a mile from Ponce City Market.
Investigators say Boykin is a familiar face to law enforcement.
According to a police report, Boykin “has a long history of physically assaulting members of the transgender community.”
Witnesses told police they saw Boykin punch his victims multiple times in the head and face, leaving them with swollen faces and black eyes.
Atlanta police call this an ongoing investigation.
They believe there may be more victims and have contacted the Department of Homeland Security for assistance.
Boykin’s arrest comes at a time when hate crimes against the LGBTQ community are on the rise.
“In 2023, it was reported that 2,800 acts of violence against members of the LGBTQ community were reported to the FBI. Nearly 600 of those specifically targeted transgender people,” said Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality Channel 2’s Michael Seiden.
Boykin remains in jail on $85,000 bond.
Police said the District Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide whether or not he will face additional hate crime charges.
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