On April 27, 2023, Banko Brown, a 24-year-old transgender Black man, was fatally shot by security guard Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony outside a Walgreens store in San Francisco. The incident began when Anthony confronted Brown inside the store on suspicion of shoplifting approximately $15 worth of candy. As Brown attempted to leave, Anthony wrestled him to the ground. After releasing him, Brown continued toward the exit but then gestured back toward Anthony, who drew his firearm and shot Brown.
Brown was unarmed and succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital later that evening.
Following the shooting, Anthony was arrested on suspicion of murder but was released after one day when District Attorney Brooke Jenkins declined to file charges, citing self-defense. Jenkins stated that security footage indicated Anthony believed he was in danger, justifying his actions. This decision sparked public outcry, leading to protests and demands for justice from Brown's family and community members. Demonstrations were held outside the Walgreens store and at public meetings, with calls for the release of security footage and for charges to be filed against Anthony.
In response to the public pressure, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to demand the release of the security footage. State Senator Scott Wiener also called for transparency, expressing concerns over the self-defense claims. On May 15, 2023, District Attorney Jenkins released the surveillance footage but maintained her decision not to press charges, citing insufficient evidence and Anthony's claim that Brown had threatened to stab him, despite no weapon being found at the scene. The California Attorney General's Office reviewed the case and, in June 2024, concluded that there was no abuse of discretion in the decision not to file charges.
Separately, in July 2023, the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services fined Anthony $1,500 for violations related to uniform and firearm regulations, and his employer, Kingdom Group Protective Services, was fined $5,000 for failing to provide an incident report promptly. The case has highlighted issues surrounding the use of armed security in retail settings and the challenges faced by transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
