Texas Police Arrest Suspect in 2021 Murder of Transgender Woman Kier Solomon

After four years of persistent investigation, Arlington, Texas police have announced the arrest of Arthur Morris Jr., 25, in the 2021 murder of Kier Solomon, a 21-year-old Black transgender woman. The case, which had remained unsolved despite extensive media coverage and community advocacy, saw a major breakthrough in September 2025 when detectives used digital evidence to place Morris at the scene of the crime before, during, and after the killing.

On the evening of September 30, 2021, officers responded to a call at the Madrid Apartments in North Arlington, where a resident reported seeing someone slumped over in a parked, running vehicle. Officers found Kier Solomon in the driver’s seat, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Solomon, who lived with her grandmother in Dallas but sometimes stayed with friends in Arlington, was between jobs at the time of her death and was described by her family as eager to find work to support herself.

Detectives recovered Solomon’s phone from the car and discovered she had arranged to meet someone at the apartment complex through a messaging app that generates temporary phone numbers, making initial identification of the suspect challenging. Investigators later uncovered a similar incident at the same location two weeks prior, in which a different victim was robbed at gunpoint after being lured via the same app. This connection led police to focus on Morris as a person of interest in both cases.

The turning point in the investigation came in September 2025, when search warrants related to the app account revealed an email address and, ultimately, a cell phone number directly linked to Morris. Phone records placed Morris at the crime scene around the time of Solomon’s murder, according to police. At the time the warrant was issued, Morris was already in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, serving a seven-year sentence for an unrelated aggravated robbery conviction. He now faces additional charges of murder and aggravated robbery in Tarrant County and will be transferred there for arraignment.

The murder of Kier Solomon drew attention not only for its brutality but also because Solomon was a young Black transgender woman—a demographic disproportionately affected by violence in the United States. While the Arlington Police Department has not commented on whether the crime was motivated by anti-transgender bias, the case highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and justice for transgender people, particularly transgender women of color. Advocacy groups have long documented that transgender women, especially those of color, face higher rates of homicide and often encounter barriers when seeking justice.

Community members and advocates have expressed cautious relief at the arrest but emphasized the need for continued vigilance and support for transgender people. “This investigation truly highlights the persistence and dedication of our detectives,” said Arlington Police Chief Al Jones. “Sometimes we get that big break in a case right away and other times we don’t. What never changes, though, is our commitment to delivering justice for victims of crime and exhausting every possible lead to achieve that goal”.

The arrest in the Solomon case is a rare example of law enforcement securing a suspect years after a high-profile crime involving a transgender victim. Such cases often go unsolved due to a combination of factors, including lack of resources, community distrust of police, and the challenges of investigating crimes where victims may have been engaging in activities that put them at risk, such as meeting strangers through apps.

Morris’s impending transfer to Tarrant County marks the beginning of a new phase in the legal process. The case will likely draw renewed attention to the issues of violence against transgender people and the importance of thorough, victim-centered police work. It also serves as a reminder of the critical role that digital evidence can play in solving crimes that might otherwise remain cold.

As the legal proceedings move forward, advocates and community members will be watching closely to see that justice is served for Kier Solomon and that her case contributes to broader efforts to protect and support transgender people in Texas and beyond.

Kier Solomon was 21 years old at the time of her death. She lived with her grandmother in Dallas and occasionally stayed with friends in Arlington, where she kept a dog at a different apartment complex. Described by her family as hardworking and eager to find stable employment, Solomon’s life was cut short in a senseless act of violence that has left a lasting impact on her loved ones and the broader LGBTQ+ community.

The arrest of Arthur Morris Jr. in the murder of Kier Solomon represents a significant development in a case that had frustrated investigators and advocates for years. While the legal process is just beginning, the breakthrough offers a measure of hope for those seeking justice for transgender victims of violence. The case underscores the importance of persistent police work, the potential of digital evidence, and the ongoing need for societal commitment to the safety and dignity of transgender people.