Two Face Hate-Crime Charges in Shooting of Trangendered Woman

[MIAMI, FL] - A New Jersey man and a Florida man face hate-crime charges after one of the men shot a transgendered woman in Miami after learning she is not a biological woman, police said.

Adrian Miller, 19, of Long Branch, N.J., shot the unidentified woman in the shoulder early Wednesday morning. He and Billy Ledan, 19, of Miami both were charged with attempted murder and remained in jail early Friday without bond. Miller and Ledan are scheduled to be arraigned January 22. The hate-crime charges were added because Miller cursed at the victim using an antigay slur before firing the gun, police said.

The condition of the victim, who police said was brought to Ryder Trauma Center, was not known as of early Friday. Miller also was charged with possession of a concealed firearm after police found a semiautomatic weapon inside his car. According to police reports, Miller and Ledan propositioned the victim, who told them, "I think you know what you're getting into. I'm a man." At that point, Miller used the epithet and shot the victim, police said.