In the small town of Autaugaville, Alabama, a life full of promise was tragically cut short on the evening of Monday, March 31, 2025. Kaitoria 'Kai' Bankz, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman, was fatally shot in what authorities believe was an attempted carjacking. The violent encounter also left her brother wounded, though he ultimately survived his injuries.
The incident unfolded near the intersection of Highway 14 and North Pickett Street, shaking the local community.
Investigators determined that Bankz had arranged to meet a man she had been communicating with online. For reasons that remain unclear, she was accompanied by her brother for this meeting, which was supposed to be a sexual encounter. The meeting took a deadly turn when the man, identified as Kelmen Merrell King, allegedly attempted to steal their vehicle. During the course of the carjacking, shots were fired, leading to Bankz's death at the scene and critical injuries to her brother.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Autauga County Sheriff's Office began an investigation that quickly led to arrests. The day after the incident, 27-year-old Kelmen Merrell King of Autaugaville turned himself in to law enforcement. He was subsequently charged with murder and attempted murder. A few days later, a second suspect, 20-year-old Leroy Lewis of Prattville, was apprehended. He faces the same charges of murder and attempted murder, with an additional charge of obstruction. While the immediate motive appears to be a carjacking, authorities have not ruled out the possibility that Bankz was targeted because of her identity as a transgender woman, and the investigation into the tragic event continues.
The loss of Kaitoria Bankz was deeply felt by those who knew her and the broader LGBTQ+ community. She was remembered as a vibrant and dedicated advocate who worked as a staff member for The Knights and Orchids Society, a nonprofit organization that supports the queer community in the South. Her death on the Transgender Day of Visibility served as a stark reminder of the violence that transgender individuals, particularly Black transgender women, continue to face.
