Wednesday, February 12, 2025 

PONTIAC, Mich. - Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged Robert Ridges III, a 28-year-old resident of Southfield, with Second Degree Murder, Carrying Concealed Weapons, and Weapons Felony Firearm in the death of Tahiry Broom, a 29-year-old transgender woman and sex worker.  The victim’s name given at birth had been Jamal Broom.

Ridges met Broom through a commercial sex advertisement and the two met up February 9 near Ridges’ apartment complex in Southfield. Following an argument, Ridges is alleged to have shot Broom.

“Every person is entitled to live without fear of violence,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. “Tahiry Broom had family and friends who loved her. She did not deserve to die and her killer will be brought to justice.”

Second Degree Murder carries a maximum sentence of life without parole. Carrying Concealed Weapons carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and mandatory forfeiture of the weapon. Weapons Felony Firearm carries a sentence of two years in prison served consecutively with and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed for the felony or attempted felony conviction.

Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: OCPOmedia@oakgov.com