The trans community is mourning the death of Rasheeda Williams, who was fatally shot this week on Tuesday night (April 18).
The 35-year-old - who is more widely known as Koko Da Doll - had been found with an "apparent gunshot wound" on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Southwest Atlanta, Georgia, per News.com.au.
Koko was reportedly "not alert, conscious or breathing" and was pronounced dead at the scene. So far, authorities have not yet named any suspects in relation to the tragic death.
Her death is the third fatal shooting of a transgender woman in Atlanta this year, according to a statement from the local police department. "While these individual incidents are not related, we are very aware of the epidemic-level violence that black and brown transgender women face in America," the statement read, per NBC News.
Koko was well-known within the transgender community - especially for having featured in the award-winning documentary Kokomo City, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January this year. Variety detailed how the raw film followed the lives of four Black trans sex workers living in both Atlanta and New York City - Koko, Daniella Carter, Liyah Mitchell, and Dominique Silver - and the threats of violence they face each day, as well as the struggles they face within the Black community.
D. Smith - the director of Kokomo City - said in a statement to Deadline: "On Tuesday night, Rasheeda Williams was shot and killed in Atlanta. Rasheeda, aka Koko Da Doll, was the latest victim of violence against Black transgender women. I created Kokomo City because I wanted to show the fun, humanized, natural side of Black trans women. I wanted to create images that didn't show the trauma or the statistics of murder of Transgender lives.
"I wanted to create something fresh and inspiring. I did that. We did that! But here we are again. It's extremely difficult to process Koko's passing, but as a team we are more encouraged now than ever to inspire the world with her story. To show how beautiful and full of life she was. She will inspire generations to come and will never be forgotten," the statement continued.
Taking to Instagram, Koko's co-star Daniella Carter posted some video footage of the pair, writing in the caption: "Never thought I'd lose you, but here I am standing alone without you by my side we're sisters for life we promised, but now you're gone I don't know what to do without you I'm going crazy, I'm trying to hold on to keep strong… [sic]."
Dominique Silver - another fellow cast member - also took to Instagram to pay tribute to Koko, saying: "My sister you are gone but you will NEVER be forgotten. I am struggling right now to grasp the fact that we just spoke and now you aren't here by my side!"
Our thoughts go out to Rasheeda Williams' family, friends, and fans at this difficult time. We also support and stand with the transgender community.
Featured image credit: Allen Creative / Steve Allen / Alamy
Social media users have been left "heartbroken" after watching the TikTok videos Ma'Khia Bryant posted prior to her tragic death.
The 16-year-old was fatally shot in Ohio on April 20 - the same day ex-cop Derek Chauvin received a guilty verdict for the murder of George Floyd.
But just days prior to her tragic ending, Bryant shared TikTok clips on the video-sharing platform - just like many other teenagers.
Showing everyone her down-to-earth and "normal" personality in the videos, the teen's final clip was posted hours before she was fatally shot by police. Per The Independent, police had attended the scene after receiving reports of an attempted stabbing.
Bodycam footage of the incident appears to show Bryant attacking another young female, as one officer can be heard shouting: "She had a knife. She just ran at her."
Social media users were devastated to see the videos she had shared, which included her morning routine and her 'Get Ready With Me' challenge.
Ma'Khia's video was watched more than a million times on the day of her death.
Other TikToks she shared showed her dancing and trying out different looks and selfie filters. TikTok users said they were "gutted" to watch her videos just moments after hearing of her death.
One user wrote: "She looks so innocent and wonderful. This s*** is really tearing up my heart."
Another added: "She reminds me of my best friend growing up."
While a third added: "Obviously I can’t stomach police footage but even just going thru Ma’khia Bryant’s Pinterest and Tiktok is wrecking me.
"She’s pretty much exactly like anyone from my group of friends from back in high school and various community college classes down to the rainbow crocs," the tweet read, which referenced Ma'Khia's signature footwear - brightly colored Crocs.
A fourth wrote: "Watching these Tiktok videos of Ma'khia Bryant is so heart wrenching. She reminds me soooo much of my teenage nieces. I can't."
Ma'khia's tragic death came just 30 minutes before Chauvin was charged with the killing of Floyd.
The teen's death sparked a protest against police, with thousands later gathering for a vigil in Ma'khia's memory.
Many pictured at the emotional event were wearing brightly colored Crocs in loving memory of the teen.
They gathered on the streets in Downtown Columbus before another group joined in front of Columbus Police headquarters.
Since the tragedy, Ma'khia's foster mom described the teen's death as her "worst nightmare".
Angela Moore, who had been caring for the teen, was told that the girl had died after being shot four times.
She told CNN: "I never in my worst nightmare would have thought it would ever come to this. [Ma'Khia] was fine. She was fun. She liked to dance. She did chores around the house."
In a press conference in response to Bryant's death, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said: "We know, based on this footage, the officer took action to protect another young girl in our community.
"But a family is grieving tonight, and this young [16-year-old] girl will never be coming home."
A transgender woman has been fatally shot in an incident in Puerto Rico, after she attempted to use the woman's toilet in a McDonald's restaurant.
According to NBC News, Neulisa Luciano Ruiz (sometimes called 'Alexa') was shot in a branch of the fast-food chain in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. In the hours leading up to her death, a number of calls had been placed to local police, claiming that the homeless woman was attempting to 'peep' on other people using the bathroom.
A video of the transphobic homicide (which is too graphic and distressing to post) has allegedly been uploaded to social media, and features a number of young men verbally and physically harassing Ruiz, before opening fire and shooting her 20 times.
In the video below, Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced says all evidence points to the incident being classed as a hate crime. The Governor accompanied the video using the hashtags #SeLlamabaAlexa and#HerNameWasAlexa.
"The terrible murder of a trans woman, revealed in a video where she is stalked and hunted, is nothing more than a hate crime motivated by intolerance. The authorities have the obligation to investigate this murder without prejudice.
"The media also have the responsibility of using correct pronouns and no longer promoting transphobia by cataloging a trans woman as a 'man dressed as a woman'. In addition, we must denounce the hate speech of the fundamentalist groups that have promoted a climate where they are prosecuted and persecuted by a trans person for the mere fact of using a bathroom."
David Begnaud, the lead national correspondent for CBS This Morning wrote on Twitter: "'Alexa' was a transgender woman killed in Puerto Rico after social media posts accused her of peeping on people in a public bathroom. Police found no proof. The complainant didn't file charges after finding out Alexa was homeless. Despite that a narrative spread on social media."
Tori Cooper, Human Rights Campaign Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative, stated: "This is a horrifying crime that must be investigated with the utmost thoroughness and care. [Alexa] had dreams, hopes, hobbies and did not deserve to have her life taken from her.
"HRC has heard that Ruiz was experiencing homelessness, further highlighting the ways a toxic mix of transphobia and misogyny conspire to put the transgender community at risk of extreme violence."
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that it is investigating the death of an African-American man who was shot and killed by Atlanta police at a local Wendy's restaurant.
Per an official press release from GBI, it has confirmed that the "deceased subject" has been identified as 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks of Atlanta, Georgia.
The press release goes on to explain:
"Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 10:33 pm, APD was dispatched to the Wendy’s located at 125 University Ave, Atlanta, GA. Officers were responding to a complaint of a male in a vehicle parked in the drive-thru asleep, causing other customers to drive around the vehicle."
The report explains that after Brooks failed a field sobriety test, "officers attempted to place the male subject into custody".
A breaking news report on the shooting can be seen below:
However, Brooks then resisted and a "struggle ensued". The struggle was captured on cell phone footage by witnesses.
Witnesses claim that Brooks became in possession of a taser. The GBI report continues: "It has also been reported that the male subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over the Taser."
Footage allegedly showing the incident unfold was shared by TMZ, and appears to show Brooks being shot three times while fleeing from the scene.
Brooks was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead following surgery. The GBI is reportedly working to identify a next of kin.
The press release also states that "one officer was treated for an injury sustained during the incident and was subsequently discharged from the hospital.
The GBI concludes its statement by explaining that it will "continue its independent investigation. Once completed, the case will be turned over to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review."
The officers involved have been put on administrative leave. TMZ states that this is reportedly the 48th officer-involved shooting the GBI has investigated this year.
Crowds have since gathered at the scene and are said to be chanting: "No justice, no peace".
Over the weekend, the US has been rocked by the death of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks, who was killed after being shot by police officers in Atlanta while attempting to flee an arrest.
Now, singer and actor Justin Timberlake has taken to social media to pay his respects to Brooks, along with Riah Milton, Dominique Fells, and Robert Fuller - three black individuals who also died in the last week.
Sharing an image of Brooks holding his infant daughter, the 'Sexyback' chart-topper wrote to his 59 million Instagram followers a heartfelt tribute to the late father:
"As a dad, this photo hurts. #RayshardBrooks was a father of three girls...1, 2, and 8 years old. He should not be dead. ⠀
"Neither should #RiahMilton, #DominiqueFells, and #RobertFuller. This week, these four innocent people became victims of racism, violence, and intolerance. And we’re still waiting for Justice for #BreonnaTaylor. I’m heartbroken for their families and for this country.⠀
"The system needs to change... it has repeatedly shown us that Black people in America are not safe. I’ll follow up with more resources and ways to help. Continue to SAY THEIR NAMES. #BlackLivesMatter".
Riah Milton and Dominique Fells were two Black transgender women who, according to Elle, died within a 24-hour period of one another.
Riah Milton of Liberty Township, Ohio, was shot several times during a robbery attempt on Tuesday, and Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells' remains were found alongside the Schuylkill River in the Bartram's Garden area of Philadelphia on Monday night.
Robert Fuller's body was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale, California, last Monday. According to CNN, Palmdale city have described it as "an alleged death by suicide", but dozens of community members gathered at the city's council chambers on Friday looking for further answers.
Rayshard Brooks died on Friday (June 12) after being shot by an Atlanta police officer.
Per an official press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation:
"Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 10:33 pm, APD was dispatched to the Wendy’s located at 125 University Ave, Atlanta, GA. Officers were responding to a complaint of a male in a vehicle parked in the drive-thru asleep, causing other customers to drive around the vehicle."
It is then reported that after Brooks failed a field sobriety test, the officers "attempted to place the male subject into custody". However, Brooks resisted and attempted to flee. A struggle between the three individuals then ensued.
The GBI states that, during the struggle, "Brooks obtained one of the officer's Tasers and began to flee from the scene.
"Officers pursued Brooks on foot and during the chase, Brooks turned and pointed the Taser at the officer. The officer fired his weapon, striking Brooks."
Bodycam footage of Brooks' arrest can be seen below (Warning - some people will find the video distressing):
After being shot, Brooks was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after surgery.
Now, an official report for Brook's autopsy - which took place on Sunday - lists Brooks' cause of death as gunshot wounds to the back and the manner of death has been listed as homicide.
The report adds that Brooks died from organ damage and blood loss from the two gunshot wounds, CNN reports.
Yesterday, it was revealed that one APD officer had been fired and another has been reassigned following the shooting.
The fired officer under investigation has been identified as Garrett Rolfe, who had been with the Atlanta Police Department since 2013, WSB-TV of Atlanta reports.
The Daily Mail states that Rolfe is the officer that opened fire and fatally shot Brooks.
A police spokesperson has also identified the second officer as Devin Bronsan, who has since been placed on administrative duty. The Associated Press states that Bronsan has been with the department since 2018.
CNN reports that the Fulton County District Attorney has criticized the officers' handling of Brooks' fatal shooting and said that a decision on whether to bring charges should come around Wednesday.
"[Brooks] did not seem to present any kind of threat to anyone, and so the fact that it would escalate to his death just seems unreasonable," DA Paul Howard told CNN's Fredricka Whitfield on Sunday. He added:
"It just seems like this is not the kind of conversation and incident that should have led to someone's death."
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Brooks' death has resulted in fresh outbreaks of protests and violence in the Atlanta area.
On Saturday night, the Wendy's restaurant where the shooting took place was torched by protesters.
Footage of the engulfed Wendy's can be seen below:
Rayshard Brooks' sister-in-law, Crystal Brooks, was one of those gathered outside the Wendy's restaurant on Saturday night. She told local news crews:
"He wasn’t causing anyone any harm. The police went up to the car and even though the car was parked they pulled him out of the car and started tussling with him."
Per Fox News, L. Chris Stewart, the attorney for Brooks' family, has said that the officer who shot the 27-year-old should be charged for "an unjustified use of deadly force, which equals murder". Stewart added:
"You can’t have it both ways in law enforcement. You can’t say a Taser is a nonlethal weapon [...] but when an African American grabs it and runs with it, now it’s some kind of deadly, lethal weapon that calls for you to unload on somebody."
On Saturday, Atlanta police chief Erika Shields handed in her resignation as a result of the incident, BBC News reports.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: PA Images]]
Sheild's resignation was announced by Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Bottoms said in a statement:
"Because of her desire that Atlanta be a model of what meaningful reform should look like across this country, Chief Shields has offered to immediately step aside as police chief so that the city may move forward with urgency and rebuilding the trust so desperately needed throughout our communities."
Shields was appointed the Atlanta police chief in December of 2016. Prior to this, she had served a long career in the force.
Interim Corrections Chief Rodney Bryant will be serving as interim police chief until a permanent replacement is appointed.
A mom-of-three has tragically died after being shot while filming a TikTok video.
The tragedy unfolded when Kaitlynn Lee, from Indiana, was hanging out with a friend at her home in New Albany, on the outskirts of Louisville, on Saturday (August 10), as reported by WHAS11.
The 25-year-old was filming a video for the social media platform when she heard someone banging on the window.
Her friend, who is a witness, told authorities that Lee approached the window and asked: "What are you doing here?" before the suspect allegedly aimed a gun and fired two to three shots at her head.
The mom-of-three was shot while filming a TikTok video. Credit: GoFundMe
The mother-of-three sustained gunshot wounds to the head and lost her life.
The man who knocked on the window has been identified as Kaitlynn's ex-partner Joshua Thompson, with whom she shares a child.
According to the Daily Mail, Thompson has now been charged with her murder and is being held without bond until his trial in March 2025. He's also been charged with invasion of privacy, criminal recklessness, and unlawful carrying of a handgun.
In addition to this, it's been reported that the suspect had an active no-contact order with Lee.
Joshua Thompson is charged with the murder of 25-year-old Kaitlynn Lee. Credit: Floyd County Jail
Officials examined the TikTok that was being filmed before the victim was killed, and it showed her "laughing, dancing and lip-syncing" with her friend to a song in the moments leading up to her murder.
The witness told cops that Lee and Thompson had "a toxic relationship," and claimed that the mom had previously told her that if she was ever found dead, he would be responsible, per the WHAS11.
Speaking out after the heartbreaking incident, Floyd County Prosecutor Chris Lane said: "We take domestic violence allegations seriously. And we're taking them seriously in this case," per the outlet.
"Unfortunately this is not unusual for these allegations and circumstances, relationships can lead to tragic results and unfortunately the allegations are that's what happened," they added.
Police reviewed the TikTok video the mom filmed before she was killed. Credit: Michael M. Santiago / Getty
The victim's family has launched a GoFundMe to raise money for her funeral and three children. As of the time of writing, $8,100 has been raised of the $10,000 goal.
"I am making this account because of this horrible incident to raise money to give her a proper funeral/burial," the organizer Jannette Roberts penned. "Any extra money will go to helping with the expenses of her children during this time.
"She deserves this, at the very least. She didn't deserve what happened to her. Those babies do not deserve to have to go through this," they added.
Our thoughts go out to Kaitlynn's family and friends at this time.
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