Rico Leblond has been charged in the murder of Zella Ziona, a transgender woman, in Montgomery Village, Maryland. She is at least the 21st transgender woman to be killed in the U.S. this year.

The 21-year-old was shot in the head in a service alley on Thursday, according to ABC News. Police say Smith and Ziona had "some degree of friendship," before the attack.

| REMEMBERING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE OF COLOR SLAIN IN 2015|

"This is a horrific crime and a tragedy for those who knew Zella," Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said in a statement. "As with all homicides in Montgomery County, we have detectives working around the clock to thoroughly and completely investigate this murder."

Leblond was arrested and charged with first-degree murder on Friday night. 
Investigators have not yet decided if Ziona's death will be considered a hate crime.
BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world.

(Photo: Zella Ziona via Facebook)