WASHINGTON - There's fear in D.C.'s transgender community after a stabbing that left one person dead and another injured Wednesday afternoon.

Family and friends of the victim gathered outside a transgender help center blocks from the crime Thursday. There, they denounced what happened to 21-year-old Joshua Mack who went by the name Nana Boo.

"I don't like it [be]cause my child was born just like everyone else to a mother's womb and I don't think it's fair for others to take other people's lives," said the victim's mother.

Police say they're investigating the incident as a possible hate crime because of statements reportedly made at the scene. Witnesses say Mack and another transgendered person were stabbed by a man as they walked on a sidewalk. Mack died and the other victim was severely wounded.

Patria Dickerson, Mack's best friend, says Nana Boo did not take verbal abuse on the street silently. "Me and her [were] together an hour before she got murdered. She's outspoken and she's not going to let anybody say what they want to say to her," she said.

The transgender community center says it's providing grief counselors. "They're hurt. They're shocked -- can't believe this happened to Nana Boo," said Anthony Hall of the Transgender Help Empowerment Center.

Family members say they're hurt and angry. "I'm just hurting right now. My mom she's got 10 boys and that's one of my little brothers and for me to see him pass like that...," said Aaron Hall, the victim's brother.

"I'm angry with people [who] do the wrong thing to people," said the victim's mother.

There is no word yet about a suspect.

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