Autuagaville, Alabama police have arrested two suspects in an attempted carjacking that resulted in the murder of 31-year-old Black transgender woman and public health activist Kaitoria “Kai” Bankz and the injury of her unnamed brother. The shooting occurred on Monday, March 31, a day which marked the annual Transgender Day of Visibility; however, police haven’t yet revealed whether they believe Bankz’s murder was motivated by anti-trans hatred.
Police arrested 27-year-old Kelmen Merrell King as the suspected shooter and 20-year-old Leroy Lewis for allegedly obstructing the investigation into the shooting. Police say that Bankz and King communicated online about having a sexual encounter. However, for unknown reasons, Bankz brought her brother to their meet-up, and King allegedly attempted to steal their car, allegedly shooting King and her brother in the process.
While Bankz died from her wounds, her brother — who was shot in the head — was taken to a hospital and survived. King turned himself into police the following morning and was charged with murder and attempted murder, WFSA reported. Police recovered the gun believed to have been used in the shooting. Police later arrested Lewis. He now faces an obstruction charge. Their bonds are set at $60,000.
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Bankz was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama and worked as a PrEP navigator with The Knights and Orchids Society (TKO Society), a health and wellness service organization for LGBTQ+ southerners, Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents reported.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the TKO Society wrote, “Bankz was taken far too soon in a senseless act of violence…. Kai was the embodiment of TKO’s mission to build power within our community. Her drive and dedication to providing life-saving services to our clients exemplified our commitment to helping Black TLGB+ people across the South live full and healthy lives free from harm.”
In a public Facebook statement, a self-described friend named TC Caldwell wrote, “[Bankz] told me she felt like she was doing the work she should be doing. She was coming into her womanhood. She was making changes to be her FULL self…. She was so proud to have her name change and new ID…. She was damn sure proud of working at TKO…. She was fu**ing trying. [Shaking my head.] She may not have had the language, but she pushed herself to find it. She used her lived experiences to help folks navigate systems she was still navigating.”
In a statement about the shooting, Victoria Kirby York, director of public policy and programs at the National Black Justice Collective, wrote, “My heart breaks hearing about the death of Kaitoria Bankz. It is clear with Kai, like all our trans siblings taken too early, that they had plans for the future, a full life they hoped to live, and goals they wished to accomplish.”
“It is essential that we remember the lives taken are not just statistics in the ongoing epidemic of violence, but real people with full lives, hopes, and desires. As Kai died on Trans Day of Visibility, we must make sure trans people are not only visible when they are suffering, but when they are joyful and thriving. I also want to thank Kai for all the work she did to serve the community and mourn all she would have accomplished. It is up to all of us to honor her with actions supporting and uplifting the transgender community and her life’s mission to connect mental health care to those who need it most,” York added.
In 2023, there were 35 homicides of transgender or gender-expansive people, according to the firearm reform group Everytown for Gun Safety. Of these murders, 80% involved a gun, and 50% of the gun homicides were of Black trans women. Additionally, 44% of homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people occurred in the South, the group said.
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