Featured Image Credit: _girlalalala/instagram
Topics: TikTok, Crime, Social Media, Transgender
Phoebe Tonks
Topics: TikTok, Crime, Social Media, Transgender
TikTok star Maurice Harrison, better known to her followers by the social handle ‘Girlalala’, has died at the age of 21.
According to a statement from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, officers in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, were called to a medical emergency at around 7pm on Friday (November 14), where they found an 'individual in the front passenger seat of a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds'.
The victim was identified as 21-year-old social media star Girlalala and immediately rushed to a local medical center where she was sadly pronounced dead.
Harrison, a hairstylist from Pompano Beach, made a name for herself online after sharing videos and photos of her life and styling work, amassing over 300,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram combined.
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Girlalala was primarily known for her colorful and creative hairstyles, and even referred to herself as a 'wig influencer' in her TikTok bio.
The suspect in the case is Shanoyd Whyte Jr, her longtime boyfriend, who was arrested on November 14 on suspicion of first-degree murder with a firearm, according to arrest records seen by People. It's said he is currently being held without bond.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, detectives allege that Whyte Jr and Harrison were caught up in a ‘verbal argument which turned physical’ inside of Whyte Jr’s vehicle.
“At some point, the victim was shot while sitting in the car,” the police statement reads.
It is understood that Harrison and Whyte Jr had been in a relationship for ‘several years’ prior to her death.
A GoFundMe to try and raise money to cover funeral expenses for Harrison has so far surpassed $28,000, including a $5,000 donation from rapper JT.
In her own tribute on social media, JT wrote: “Rest beautiful girlala! We love you & Heaven will never be boring now that you are there, your boldness, energy, humor & beauty will be missed! You never missed a chance to show me love & for that I'm forever grateful.
“I'm sorry this happened to you!”
The post was also accompanied by the hashtags '#protecttranswomen' and '#proteckblackwomen'.
Following the news of her death, hundreds of fans flooded Harrison's social media feeds to pay tribute to the late influencer, with her own family also sharing a poignant message on the GoFundMe page.
They wrote: “As a family we appreciate every prayer, kind thought, and gesture during our time of bereavement.”
The family also confirmed that further details regarding how to contribute to her final send off would be shared once 'arrangements' had been made with the funeral home.