Earlier this year Koko Da Doll, aka Rasheeda Williams, was walking the red carpet at Sundance. The subject of ‘Kokomo City’ was murdered last week. She was 35.
UPDATE: 17-year-old Jemarcus Jernigen is in custody for the murder.
Via Access Hollywood:
On 4/18/23 around 10:42 pm, officers responded to 2457 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW in reference to a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by AFR. Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.
The documentary is full of hard-earned wisdom about the survivalist mindset it takes to engage in survival sex. Koko, who also went by Scooter, inspired the film’s title.
The documentary by D. Smith interviews four trans women of color engaging in sex work, and those who are attracted to them. Smith was working music producer prior to her own transition, after which she lost everything. With nothing to lose, she decided to shoot a documentary. A friend got her a nice camera and lens, and the rest is history.
In a grim twist of fate, she also recorded a track as Hollywood Koko titled “Bulletproof.”
Via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
The family of Rasheeda Williams launched a GoFundMe this week to raise money for her funeral arrangements. Anyone with information on Williams’ case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).
It’s great that Smith was able to document Koko’s short time here. Let’s hope this film and Koko’s senseless murder helps put a face on the violence and extreme discrimination faced by trans women of color.
Image: YouTube / Access Hollywood
