The petition asks that authorities change the charge to first-degree murder and that violence against the transgender community have harsher consequences.

Authorities say Nordquist died following repeated acts of violence and torture for more than a month by multiple people.

Seven suspects have now been arrested and charged with murder after the body of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist was found last week in upstate New York.

Two more people have been charged with murder in the death of a transgender man who authorities say was tortured for more than a month before being killed in upstate New York.

Nordquist, a transgender man originally from Minnesota, was first reported missing on Feb. 9. He had reportedly been in New York since September. Police believe he had been tortured for more than a month, with his body later found in a field in Yates County, New York.

Five people have been arrested in New York and charged in connection with the disappearance and murder of a 24-year-old transgender man from Minnesota, who police say was tortured and abused for weeks before his death.