On a day meant to uplift trans lives, Alabama is reeling from the brutal killing of 31-year-old Kaitoria “Kai” Bankz, a Black transgender woman who was gunned down in a suspected attempted carjacking — and on Transgender Day of Visibility, no less.
Bankz, a community advocate with the Knights and Orchids Society, was shot and killed Monday night in Autaugaville, Alabama. Her brother, also present during the incident, was shot in the head but survived. Authorities have charged 27-year-old Kelmen Merrell King with murder and attempted murder after he turned himself in Tuesday morning.
According to the sheriff, King and Bankz had communicated online and arranged to meet for a potential sexual encounter — a familiar and often dangerous setup for many trans women. What followed, police say, was a botched carjacking that left Kai dead and her brother severely injured. The motive remains under investigation, including whether her gender identity played a role, but officials expect more arrests.
A Bright Light Gone Too Soon
“Kai was a bright light in our organization,” said TC Caldwell, executive director of the Knights and Orchids Society. “She was making significant contributions in LGBTQ+ work through health coordination, community support, and advocacy.” And let’s be clear — that kind of work is not only life-affirming, but often life-saving in the Deep South, especially for Black and Brown trans folks.
Kai wasn’t just checking boxes at a nonprofit — she was knee-deep in fellowships, organizing advocacy, and serving as a critical support lifeline to the most marginalized in the community. According to Caldwell, she embodied the very mission of the organization: building power for Black TLGB+ people in the South, where resources and safety can be scarce.
Victoria Kirby York of the National Black Justice Collective added, “It is essential that we remember the lives taken are not just statistics… 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.”
From Music to Makeup, a Life in Full Color
A native of Montgomery, Bankz lived life vibrantly. She adored Beyoncé, Ciara, Kehlani, and Doja Cat, and her social feeds were filled with bold makeup, flashy nails, and radiant hair — the kind of femininity that turns heads in the South, and sometimes attracts danger. But she didn’t dim her light for anyone.
A memorial balloon release is scheduled for Saturday evening in Montgomery. Expect color, music, and tears — because while the world may try to silence Black trans women, their communities never forget.
This isn’t just another story of gun violence. It’s the story of a woman who spent her days helping others live and ended her own in a senseless, gut-wrenching tragedy. The LGBTQ+ community deserves better than vigils and hashtags. We need justice, we need policy change, and we need a world where trans women like Kai live long enough to see their dreams come true.