Sam Nordquist was not just my friend but a so very loved member of the transgender community who was met with a despicable end through an act of heinous violence in New York. As a 24-year-old transman from Oakdale, Minnesota, he was unapologetically himself and would have given you the shirt off his back. Sam traveled to New York in September 2024 to meet his online girlfriend 38 year old Precious Arzuaga. As of January 1st all contact with Sam was lost by his family and friends.
Following Sam's arrival in NY his life was brutally ripped away by five individuals Precious Arzuaga, 38; Jennifer Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick Goodwin, 30; and Emily Motyka, 19 who tortured him both psychologically and physically for over a month in his hotel room at Patty's Lodge a roadside motel where he was known to be staying before murdering him. Following his death his killers discarded his body in a field in upstate New York near Canandaigua.
"In a televised news conference on Friday, police said the case is "one of the most horrific crimes" they had ever seen and that Nordquist was subjected to "deeply disturbing" abuse for several months, starting in December."
Even though police say it's "one of the most horrific crimes that they've ever seen in their entire careers" they have NOT deemed it a hate crime and the 5 individuals that have been arrested are only facing second degree murder charges when they should be charged with FIRST DEGREE MURDER.
Unfortunately, Sam is one of countless transgender people who have been murdered in recent years for choosing to live authentically and as themselves. In 2020, it was recorded that 44 transgender or gender nonconforming people had been fatally shot or killed by other violent means in the U.S., the majority of whom were Black and Latino transgender women (Human Rights Campaign). Hate crimes against transgender people have been continuously growing, which signals a pressing need for stronger law enforcement and harsher penalties for hate crimes.
I'm writing to ask you to sign this petition demanding that the Second Degree Homicide charges be changed to First Degree Homicide Charges and that the judge sentences all five of the following individuals Precious Arzuaga, Jennifer Quijano, Kyle Sage, Patrick Goodwin, and Emily Motyka to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Sam Nordquist's life mattered, and his story deserves to be told and heard. His death needs to bring about a change, a call from all of us to reconsider and revise the legal penalties for hate crimes. As Sam's friend and as a concerned US citizen. I implore you to seek justice for Sam and push for harsher penalties for hate crimes. Every signature on this petition sends a powerful message that such violence against the transgender community will not be tolerated. JUSTICE FOR SAM NORDQUIST NOW! Please sign this petition.
I have also included the GoFundMe set up by Sam's sister Kayla. Any funds raised will be put towards supporting the family during this difficult time as they navigate the details of bringing Sam home.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-help-to-locate-sam-nordquist
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