SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) — A Southfield man has been charged with killing a transgender woman and sex worker he allegedly met through a commercial sex advertisement last weekend.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office has charged 28-year-old Robert Ridges III with second-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm.
Ridges is accused of killing 29-year-old Tahiry Broom on Sunday, Feb. 9.
The prosecutor’s office says Ridges met Broom through a commercial sex ad and the two met up Sunday near Ridges’ apartment complex, the Riverstone Apartments on Shiawassee near Telegraph and 8 Mile Roads in Southfield.
Following some type of argument, Ridges allegedly shot Broom to death, according to the prosecutor’s office, but no further details were released.
Southfield police officials said earlier this week a 911 call came in around 10:15 a.m. Sunday about an unresponsive person in the parking lot of the apartment complex.
Police and first responders found Broom lying in the parking lot with a single gunshot wound to her head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Every person is entitled to live without fear of violence,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, per a press release. “Tahiry Broom had family and friends who loved her. She did not deserve to die and her killer will be brought to justice.”
If convicted on the second-degree murder charge, Ridges could be sentenced to life in prison without parole. The CCW charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, while felony firearm has a punishment of two years in prison served consecutively with any other sentences.
The prosecutor’s office did not release any arraignment information for Ridges.