Transgender advocacy groups are calling for the murder of Sharon 14-year-old Pauly Likens to be investigated as a possible hate crime.

Likens was a transgender girl allegedly killed by 29-year-old DaShawn Watkins after meeting him online.

The Federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act gives protections to marginalized groups, including those based on gender identity.

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress is asking investigators to look further into the crime -- and consider pursuing hate crime charges against Watkins.

The Sharon City School District had counselors available Monday for any students needing to talk about the loss.

“The realization of why things like this happen is just too impossible to tell. Our goal is to try to help them get through the next few days and really feel the impact probably when school when they return to school. That’s when our impact is going to hit,” said Sharon High School Principal TrMike Fitzgerald.

The Shenango Valley Pride Picnic is organizing a vigil for Pauly at 7 p.m. Saturday at the LGBTQ-I-A Plus Alliance on Stambaugh Avenue.