Kaitoria Le’Cynthia Bankz ("Kai")
Age 31 (born 21 Aug 1994)31 Mar 2025
Autaugaville, Alabama (USA)
Shot
TDoR list ref: tgeu/tdor2025/31-Mar-2025/Kaitoria Le’Cynthia Bankz ("Kai")
Kai was killed during an attempted carjacking in which her brother was also shot. Her murder took place on the Trans Day of Visibility.
An attempted carjacking left a Black trans woman dead and her brother hospitalized on Monday, March 31, 2024 in Autaugaville, Alabama. Her name was Kaitoria ‘Kai’ Le’Cynthia Bankz. The would-be carjacker, Kelmen Merrell King, is in police custody.
WSFA reports that Bankz and King communicated online before the deadly incident and met for what investigators believe would be a sexual encounter. Bankz brought her brother, the sheriff said, though he provided no other details as to why.
Law enforcement alleges King attempted to commit a carjacking. He shot Kai who was pronounced dead at the scene. Her brother, Cameron Reynolds, was shot in the head and transported to a local hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery. Cameron identifies as a gay Black man.
King surrendered and is facing homicide and attempted homicide charges. No further information on the killing has been released.
Kai was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabam and liked liked Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Kehlani, Ciara, Doja Cat, Big Freedia and many other musical artists. She had worked as a PrEP navigator with The Knights and Orchids Society (TKO Society) since August 2023.
https://www.advocate.com/crime/trans-woman-kaitoria-bankz-killed
https://www.waka.com/2025/04/04/second-person-arrested-in-autaugaville-deadly-shooting/
https://www.wsfa.com/2025/04/04/2nd-suspect-arrested-transgender-alabama-womans-homicide/
https://www.wsfa.com/2025/04/01/alabama-lgbt-group-mourns-members-death-attempted-carjacking/
https://www.wsfa.com/video/2025/04/02/woman-killed-man-hurt-autaugaville-shooting/
