Latina Trans Woman Unique Banks, 21, Killed in Chicago Mass Shooting
A devastating tragedy in Chicago on Monday left a 21-year-old Latinx trans woman, Unique Banks, and her mother, Alexsandra Olmo, 43, both dead. They were killed in a mass shooting that targeted the two women, Olmo’s boyfriend, and two other transgender women. The three survivors are all hospitalized with critical injuries.
Chicago police describe this as a home invasion and an ambush.
The shooting took place in the 2900 block of East 78th Street, at Exchange Avenue on the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago around1:40 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023. Police sources telling CBS 2 that two people, described as teens wearing ski masks, one wearing camo, kicked in an apartment door and demanded money before opening fire.
Police are not sharing much information on the investigation. There have been no follow up reports on the medical status of the three survivors.
Several family members have spoken with the media, but given the volatile and unknown level of violence involved, I have opted not to reprint their names or identifying information. This level of violence feels not only terrifying, but unfinished. Suffice it to say that the two women are deeply loved and mourned by their family and friends.
