Rasheeda Williams: Transgender Woman ‘Koko Da Doll’ Fatally Shot In Atlanta
Rasheeda Williams, 35, was found shot to death in southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, April 18, 2022 in a strip mall. Police have not named a suspect.
Rasheeda Williams, who performed under the name “Koko da Doll,” was on her way to stardom and more after being featured in “Kokomo City,” a 2023 Sundance Film Festival documentary about sex workers in Atlanta and New York.
Williams, who lived in Atlanta, also made it her mission to spread awareness about issues affecting her community.
“Koko Da Doll was a light to all of us in the trans community; with her music career on the rise and the movie coming out soon, Koko was a pioneer in the community, and her legacy will live on with all of us,” Koko's best friend Dominque Silver told Atlanta TV station 11Alive.
Williams, 35, was found “not alert, conscious or breathing” by Atlanta police in an Atlanta strip mall on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Atlanta police have arrested a 17-year-old Jemarcus Jernigen after the boy turned himself into them on Wednesday, April 26.
The teenager is facing murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm charges among others, authorities said.
A GoFundMe set up in Williams’ behalf says: “This is such a tragic moment for our family. We lost a beautiful soul to a senseless murder. Well known as Scooter some of you may know her as Rasheeda or Koko. Koko was well known in the LGBTQ community here in Atlanta. Koko was one of Atlanta’s finest and most loving transgender women. Koko had a heart of gold and spread nothing but love and light to those she came across. To know Koko is to love her, she loved her family and friends to the core of her heart. If ambitious was person it was Koko, she has always put her best foot forward to reach all in which she desired. Koko’s greatest goal was to take care of her entire family and close friends.When Koko entered the room she always brought her beautiful bright smile, you couldn’t help but to embrace her! She cherished her love ones and we cherished and embraced her! She chased her dreams as an artist and entertainer. Unfortunately, Koko was shot and killed in Atlanta. Her body was found on the corner of MLK and HE Holmes Drive. We are in search of answers, the authorities are working close with the family. If you know anything pertaining to this devastating incident, don’t hesitate to communicate with the family. No one can ever prepare to bury a loved one. Unfortunately, Koko didn’t have any life insurance. We are asking for the everyone that can help; please send anything to help us raise the funds to send our beloved Koko off peacefully.”
Williams’ death marks the third time this year that a transgender woman was shot and killed in the city.
