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Man arrested 6 months after shooting death of transgender woman near Florida Mall

Monique Jade Brooks, 49, died at hospital July 19

Jeremy Jamal Smith (OCSO)

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man in connection with the death of a 49-year-old a transgender woman.

Monique Jade Brooks, who the sheriff’s office said was also known as Robert Ramon Thomas, was hospitalized July 19 after being found unresponsive near Orange Blossom Trail and the Florida Mall.

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Monique Jade Brooks, 49 (Orange County Sheriff's Office)

Brooks was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the sheriff’s office’s social media.

On Monday, the sheriff’s office announced that Jeremy Jamal Smith, 38, was charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Brooks.

Deputies did not provide further details on their investigation including what led up to Smith’s arrest.

Note: This map depicts the general area where Brooks was found and not necessarily an exact location.


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