25-Year-Old Man Pleads Not Guilty in Violent Assault on Transgender Woman Nikki Armstrong

A violent assault on transgender woman Nikki Armstrong in Renton, Washington, has culminated in the arraignment of 25-year-old Ranmore Elias Edwards, who pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree assault and hate crime on September 25, 2025, at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent . The attack, which occurred on September 15 near the Renton Transit Center, also led to charges against three teenage suspects. The incident has become a flashpoint in the ongoing discussion around anti-transgender violence in the United States.

According to police reports and victim testimony, Nikki Armstrong, a 39-year-old transgender woman, was assaulted at approximately 8:20 p.m. on September 15, 2025, in the 200 block of Burnett Ave S in Renton. Armstrong had earlier intervened when she witnessed a group of teenage boys harassing a security guard at the Renton Transit Center. After confronting the teens and asking, "Don't you have anything better to do?", Armstrong was later followed and attacked by the group as she returned through the area .

Witnesses reported that the assailants, which included two teenage brothers aged 15 and 17, a 16-year-old boy, and the 25-year-old Edwards, used homophobic slurs during the attack. Armstrong stated that after she attempted to protect herself with pepper spray, the group chased her, knocked her to the ground, and beat her while continuing to use hate speech . The assault included strangulation, punches, and kicks, resulting in severe physical injuries to Armstrong .

Armstrong managed to escape and seek help at a nearby bar, where a security guard called 911. Emergency services responded to the scene, and Armstrong was taken to the hospital for treatment. She has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and lost income during her recovery, raising over £35,000 (approximately $44,000) as of September 26, 2025 .

Ranmore Elias Edwards, 25, was charged with second-degree assault and a hate crime. Prosecutors cited public safety concerns in seeking a $300,000 bail, and Edwards is currently being held pending further court appearances . Edwards turned himself in after a family member recognized his image on local crime reporting platforms .

Three teenage defendants—Kobe Aaron Benson (17), James Harold Benson (15), and Zihreal Jhreem Porter (16)—have also been charged with assault in the second degree and hate crime offenses . The two younger teens were initially released to electronic home monitoring following their arraignment, while the 16-year-old was arrested and appeared in court on September 19, 2025 . All three teenage defendants have pleaded not guilty .

Armstrong has described feeling "scared and angry" in the immediate aftermath of the assault, emotions that have since "turned to sadness" as the reality of persistent anti-transgender violence in the U.S. sets in . In interviews, Armstrong has expressed deep concerns about her safety, attributing the rise in attacks against transgender people in part to recent federal policies and rhetoric perceived as hostile to the LGBTQ+ community . "Trump has all but greenlit this type of violence," Armstrong stated, "and sadly I expect we will see more" .

The attack has provoked widespread outrage and support from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who have cited the case as emblematic of a broader pattern of anti-transgender hate crimes in the United States . Community vigils and online fundraising efforts have amplified calls for justice and increased safety for transgender people.

The assault on Armstrong is part of a troubling national trend. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2025 has seen an increase in reported violent incidents against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in the United States . Advocacy organizations point to legislative rollbacks and inflammatory political language as contributing factors that have emboldened perpetrators of anti-LGBTQ+ violence .

LGBTQ+ leaders and allies have called for systemic reforms, including improved hate crime reporting, increased funding for victim support services, and comprehensive non-discrimination protections at both state and federal levels . The Renton case has renewed demands for local and federal officials to take meaningful action to address the root causes of anti-transgender violence and ensure accountability for perpetrators.

Despite her injuries, Armstrong has remained vocal about the need for change, using her experience to highlight the urgent need for support and solidarity within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community. She has credited the rapid response from bystanders and emergency services with saving her life, and she continues to advocate for greater awareness and prevention of hate crimes .

In the weeks following the attack, Armstrong’s GoFundMe campaign exceeded its initial goal, with donations pouring in from across the country in a show of solidarity . Armstrong has pledged to use any surplus funds to support other victims of hate crimes and to promote education on transgender issues.

The next court appearance for Ranmore Elias Edwards is scheduled for next month, when the trial is expected to proceed . The case continues to attract national attention as legal proceedings unfold and advocates push for greater protections for transgender people.

The outcome of this trial will be closely watched by LGBTQ+ communities nationwide, who hope it will serve both as a measure of justice for Nikki Armstrong and as a catalyst for lasting change in the fight against anti-transgender violence in America .