Charlotte Mecklenburg Police say the city's latest murder victim and suspect knew one another before a fatal shooting Tuesday off Beatties Ford Road. Twenty-six-year-old Derricka Banner of Lenoir, a transgender woman whose legal name was Derrick Lee Banner, was found shot to death around 3 a.m. Tuesday in a vehicle on Rosetta Street.
On Tuesday night, police arrested and charged 18-year-old Montavious Sanchez Berry with murder, armed robbery and shooting into a vehicle. CMPD said Thursday the two had communicated previously.
Police say they have no evidence Banner was killed because of her gender identity. Berry is being held without bail at Mecklenburg County Jail.
The story has been picked up nationally by news outlets describing Banner's death as the 20th killing of a transgender person nationwide this year.
It was the city's 64th homicide this year.
RELATED LINKS
Obituary: "Derrick 'Ms Bow Bow' Lee Banner."