Family believes hate crime was motive for murder

BRIGHTON – At least 200 people gathered on Wednesday night to mourn an 18-year-old transgender person who was apparently beaten to death last week.

Justin Zapata, who went by the name Angie Zapata and was living as a woman, was found dead in a Greeley apartment in the 2000 block of 4th Street on July 17.

She had fatal wounds to her head and face.

Greeley Police say they don't have the evidence to definitively call Zapata's murder a hate crime, but they are not ruling it out.

Her family and friends remain convinced that was the reason she was killed.

"Why would anybody, you would dare do something like that? Why?" said Alicia Portillo, one of Zapata's friends.

Zapata's funeral service was held Wednesday night in Brighton.

Police believe they are getting close to a suspect.

"Apparently this person knew the individual. We don't know to what degree. We don't know if they were just acquaintances or if there was more too it," said Sgt. Joe Tymkowych with the Greeley Police Department.

Members of the gay, lesbian and transgender community say if Zapata was targeted for being a man living as a woman, the effects are widespread.

"We often find that hate crimes have a ripple effect, so they affect everyone who identifies within that community," said Kelly Costello with the Colorado Anti-Violence Program.

Her family and friends say they want everyone who hears her story to examine their tolerance of people's differences.

Police are still looking for Zapata's car, a green 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with Colorado license plate number 441-ORN. There is a hubcap missing on the front passenger-side tire and there is paint missing on the front bumper on the driver-side under the headlight. Anyone with information about the car is asked to call Greeley Police at 970-350-9600.