Akira Ross's family says the killing should be investigated as a hate crime as she was targeted because she was gay. edwardolive//iStockphoto. CEDAR PARK, Texas (AP)

Bradley Stanford, 23, has been charged by police in Texas with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 24-year-old Akira Ross, whose family believes she was targeted for being gay.

A man has been charged with murder after allegedly gunning down a woman outside a gas station near Austin, Texas. The victim's family says the killing should be treated as a hate crime.

She gets out of the car, and he starts calling her gay slurs for no reason,” Akira Ross’ father said after the 24-year-old was killed at a Texas gas station.