We will #SayHisName Banko Brown

A Black trans man shot and killed by a private duty security guard at a Walgreens in San Francisco!

On Thursday Evening shortly after 6:30pm officers arrived to the Walgreens on the 800 block of Market Street near Fourth Street and the Westfield Mall entrance due to shots fired and an alleged shoplifting incident. Upon arrival officers found Banko Brown a 24 years old Black trans man suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers rendered aid on arrival, then he was rushed to an area hospital where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

Before officers left the scene they took the security guard into custody, authorities identified the  security guard as one Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, 33, and  was booked into the San Francisco County Jail on a homicide charge.Reports say that Banko was walking out of the store at the time of the shooting when the armed security guard opened fire and striking him.

A Walgreens spokesperson said in a statement. “We are thinking of the victim and their family during this difficult time. The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our top priority, and violence of any kind will not be tolerated in our stores. We take this matter seriously and are cooperating with local authorities.”

Sadly just like many of the murders of Black trans folxs the media got it WRONG by misgendering and deadnaming this young man even after many of the local media outlets spoke with his friends and local community they still published articles deadnaming and misgendering him which made it go under our radar here at TransGriot. We ask that local media outlets STOP misgendering and deadnaming this victim and correct his info Name: Banko Brown Pronouns: He/Him/His 

For those that would like to assist please if you see any articles misgendering or deadnaming him please contact them and ask that they correct it as we’re doing the same!

About Banko Brown

Banko will be remembered as a leader in the Black trans community for his leadership and activism towards elevating the lives of trans folxs just like him. He was a young man with a passion for fashion and had dreams of one day becoming a clothing designer. “He took on a job at a local young women’s center because he wanted to help other like him” said one of his close friends. 

Although reports don’t document what the alleged theft was, it’s clear that there was no reason for this young Black man’s life to be taken so soon.

This is an ongoing investigation, anyone with information is asked to call the police department’s tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and start the message with SFPD.

Trans woman murdered in Augusta, GA

Officers were called to the Augusta hotel for a possible homicide on Wednesday July 20, 2022 for a possible homicide. Officers arrived at the Knights Inn in Augusta, GA around 10:28am to find 26 year old Keshia Chanel Geter of Eastover S.C. who identified as a Black trans woman.

Investigators say that she was traveling with a friend and was found with at least one fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead by the coroner’s office at 11am. 

Sadly due to multiple local media outlets misgendering, deadmaming her and posting male pictures although she presented as female. Sadly these action usually cause us to miss these murders which is why we say at least because many go under the radar. 

Keshia is at least the 21st murder of a trans person according to HRC website following the murder of Kitty Monroe of Chicago Illinois.

She is at least the 14th Black trans woman this year. 

She is at least the second Black trans woman murdered in the area following the murder of Felycya Harris murdered in Meadowbrook Park, GA on October 3, 2020 and Jerrome Miller was charged for her murder.

It’s believed that she and the female friend traveled together often but that’s really all we got from investigators and have no clue if the friend is CIS or Trans. They also noted that the region has been dealing with an outbreak of fatal shootings and suspicious deaths since April and the sheriff vowed “decisive” action including gang crackdowns, roadblock checkpoints and use of high-tech surveillance cameras in targeted areas.

This is still an active investigation so additional details are limited. Our hope at TransGriot is that we get #JusticeForKeshia 

Anyone that may have information that could lead to an arrest in this murder is urged to contact the local sheriff’s office.

Also special thank you to those that tag us or inbox us to notify us of possible trans murders and to the family friends and local community we are TransGriot send our love and support.

#SayHerName Keshia Chanel Geter

Trans Woman murdered in West Englewood (Chicago)

CPD officers were called out to a home in the West Englewood area for a domestic battery complaint. Officers arrived to a home in the 5700 block of South Damen ave. around 11:45p on July 11th officers found one individual stabbed to death on the porch.

Officers canvased the neighborhood only to be turned away by witnesses so much so an officer was quoted saying that “witnesses were very uncooperative”!

The victim has been identified as a Black trans woman named  Martasia Richmond 

Picture used from Facebook profile

pictured above, age 30 who was pronounced dead at the scene with stab wounds to the chest and neck. Presently their is no one in custody for her murder and officers are asking for any one with information to please come forward.

Martasia would be at least the 20th murder this year that we’re aware of and the 13th Black trans woman. As the year passes the number will get higher if you have any information that could lead to justice please contact law enforcement and if needed request to remain anonymous.

Love and light to the families, friends and loved ones.

#SayHerName Martasia Richmond 

#SayHerName Brazil Johnson

Milwaukee police are investigating a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, June 15 in the 2200 block of N. Teutonia Avenue at 6:30 a.m. officers arrived on the scene to find 28 year-old Brazil Johnson dead on arrival. Brazil who identified as a Black trans woman died due to a fatal gunshot injuries.  

Brazil Johnson

The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation. It is our hope that justice will be served and those involved in her murder will serve time for their crime.

There’s multiple stories going around and due to this being an active investigation there’s not much that we can verify at this moment.

Presently Milwaukee police continue to seek unknown suspects which is a sign that they may have persons of interest. On behalf of TransGriot and our contributors we send our love to the family and friends of Brazil. We are currently working with the family to assist in ways of honoring Brazil and seek justice for her murder.

This would make Brazil’s murder number 17 according to HRC which has reported 16 murders to date that they are aware of, the most recent on their list is Sasha Mason a trans Latina in North Carolina.

The family of Brazil has already made arrangements and will be releasing additional information soon for community members to join in support. If you’d like to send flowers (flowers must be sent by June 28th) please email Dee Dee Watters at imdeedeewatters@gmail.com for the funeral home details.

If you were in the area of Teutonia and Garfield and saw anything we encourage you to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips.