Koko Da Doll, a transgender woman and rapper who was featured in the Sundance documentary “Kokomo City,” was fatally shot in Atlanta earlier this week. She was 35.
“Kokomo City” is a documentary that highlights the stories of four Black transgender sex workers in New York City and Georgia. Cinetic Media, the publicity firm representing the film, confirmed that Koko Da Doll was the transgender woman killed on Tuesday in Atlanta.
This marks the third fatal shooting of a transgender woman in Atlanta since the beginning of the year, prompting the police department to acknowledge the “epidemic-level violence” that Black and brown transgender women face in America.
The case is still under investigation, and police have yet to publicly release the identity of the victim. There is currently no evidence suggesting that the victim was targeted because of their gender.
GLAAD announced Koko Da Doll’s death on Friday and stated that “all transgender people deserve to live in safety and acceptance, beloved by their families, communities, and able to contribute to a world where all are more free.”
The killing was especially difficult for “Kokomo City” director D. Smith, who created the documentary to showcase the fun, humanized, natural side of Black trans women.
The documentary received three major accolades during its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, including the Sundance Audience Award. Its public release date is currently unknown.
Koko Da Doll was advancing her life and finding success as a rapper, making her tragic death all the more devastating for those who knew her.