Trans woman ‘with heart of gold’ killed in mass shooting after trying to stop gunman

A “heroic” woman who risked her life to save others in a deadly shooting in Boise, Idaho, has become the 42nd trans person violently killed in the US this year.

Jo Acker, described by those who knew her as having an “enormous heart of gold”, was killed Monday morning (25 October) after she saw a man shooting Boise Towne Square patrons.

Acker, a 26-year-old security guard at the mall, was working when Jacob Bergquist, 27, of Boise, reportedly opened fire inside the mall, injuring four civilians.

At around 2pm, a guard on the ground floor of the two-story mall “contacted” the suspect near a department store on the west side of the building.

The gunman shot and killed the guard, the Boise Police Department said.

Acker ran towards the suspect to stop him, according to 11 News, and was shot dead.

Acker’s family says that her “heroic” actions likely saved lives.