SUITLAND, MARYLAND – DeAllen Price, the man accused of murdering 20-year-old Taya Ashton in 2021, has been sentenced to nearly five decades in prison. Price was found guilty of shooting Ashton, a transgender woman, in her apartment in Suitland. The victim and the perpetrator had a prior connection, as they were known to each other and had an intimate relationship, according to authorities.
At the time of the murder, Ashton was found deceased in her apartment in the 2300 block of Brooks Drive. Following the incident, Arlington County police arrested Price in connection to the murder after he attempted to evade the authorities and enter the Metro tracks at the Pentagon City station. Consequently, Yellow and Blue line services were suspended for a brief period.
During the sentencing, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy addressed the tragedy of Ashton’s death and highlighted the broader implications for the community. She emphasized the importance of respecting individuals’ choices to live their lives authentically and without fear of violence or discrimination.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 32 transgender or gender nonconforming individuals fell victim to violence in 2023. The statistics also revealed that transgender individuals are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual abuse and assault, with one in two facing such trauma at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crimes.
The sentencing of DeAllen Price serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the transgender community and the urgent need for greater understanding, tolerance, and respect. As efforts continue to combat systemic discrimination and violence, the hope is for a future where all individuals are valued and can live authentic lives without fear.