Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have arrested a man in connection with the shooting death of a male-to-transgender.
According to WSOC-TV, officers were called to the 1400 block of Rosetta Street, just north of uptown, after reports of gunshots fired around 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Derrick Banner, 26, (pictured left) was found inside a car, suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Banner is the city’s 64th homicide victim and the 20th transgender killed in the United States in 2017.
Officers arrested 18-year-old Montavious Berry, pictured above right, around 11 p.m. Tuesday and charged him with murder, armed robbery and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Banner’s friend, who asked to remain anonymous, said Banner, who went by the name “Derricka,” was undergoing hormone treatments to look more feminine. The friend said he hoped Banner’s sexuality won’t be the reason for his death.
“He needs to rot in jail for life for taking my friend’s life like that,” said the friend, who is also undergoing hormone treatment to look more feminized.
The friend said Banner met the shooter online, and the 2 friends traveled by car from Lenoir to Charlotte to meet the man.
The friend said he hid in the trunk of the car and heard the gunfire.
“Derrick was told to come alone, but he didn’t want to go because of the weather,” the friend told WSOC-TV. “So I went with him … and said I would have to hide and so I hid in the trunk of the vehicle.”
The friend said after he and Banner arrived in Charlotte, the shooter got into the car and drove around Charlotte with Banner.
The friend, who was in the trunk, said he realized the moment Banner was in trouble after Berry pulled out a gun.
“[Banner] was like, ‘Don’t point it at me like that. Don’t point it at me like that,’ and then not a second afterward I heard two gunshots,” the friend said.
The friend said he tried to resuscitate Banner after the gunman fled on foot.
Banner’s grandmother, Jo Banner, was inconsolable after his death.
“I’ve been crying ever since it happened,” she told WSOC. “I can’t get over with it. I loved Derrick. He was in his own ways, but I loved him.”
What a mess, what a tragedy. RIP Ms Derricka. Grandma, may God bless you.
I hate he lost his life. If somebody got to be hiding in the trunk and all, its probably not a good idea to go. What an odd story.
They can keep on tricking folks if they want too but I don’t think it’ll be worth it…
This is so sad. I wish the killer would have found the truth within himself because this was definitely not a catfish. He knew what the hell he was getting into. RIP Derricka. You’ll have those boobies in the afterlife.
Trick what? Trick who? You talking about Mizz Derricka up to? No amount of snapchat filter, photoshop, and carefully crafted angles would have fooled a straight man. Let’s be real.
This is so sad. We are constantly hearing that a transgender lost their life. I wonder what is going on for this tragedy to keep repeating with many transgender.
Facts
I agree whoever that person is they look lie a full blown man. Alot of these straight men just aren’t straight.
This is so very sad…The murderer is going to spend a lifetime in jail for something so senseless. This is a hate crime so they are going to put him under the jail. He’ll be all right though. He doesn’t look like any eighteen year old that I know of. He looks hard, greasy and dirty. This is probably not his first time killing either. He had no problem pulling the trigger on an innocent man.
A full ass 5 o clock shadow and stubble. Not trying to be mean, but come on son. That nikka knew
Even his friend knew not to let him be alone…sad story
“Derrick was told to come alone, but he didn’t want to go because of the weather,” the friend told WSOC-TV. “So I went with him … and said I would have to hide and so I hid in the trunk of the vehicle.”
Not buying it! Those dirty b/tches were planning to rob that boy and he got the drop on them. If I were his attorney, that would be my argument.
You believe that story?
Could be because I thought his statement sounded off too. You don’t want to go because of the weather so you have your friend hide in the trunk???
People understand estimated the gay community’s ability to commit crimes. Trannies are notorious for robberies.
Same story, different cast.
That could work in court just based off the dude being in the trunk.
He just stuck an ‘a’ on his name.
That was a set up.
Lol
I hope I am wrong but I interpreted the friend in the trunk because maybe the profile pic wasn’t Derrick and he was scared of what the guy would do when he showed up.
Derricka did everything right. He asked a friend to go with him and he was still murdered.
Absolutely!!! They can be some slick, conniving bishes!!!! I’ve know a few and they have all done time in the clink….
Same reason Bobby Valentino almost tripped running from that transwoman. The shame. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ea97acd9a045a14c589a9e2432220ce95c1e6d244b26df863e1025e62c9f3b15.gif
Sounds like somebody was being tricked. Hiding in a truck because of bad weather is not a good excuse. But it did save his life. Transgenders live a dangerous & deceitful life.
Who tf offers to hide in the trunk? Oh please.
okay?!!. just smh.
men’s pod or woms
I’m not sure… I never thought to ask…
WTH! Please tell me this wasn’t broadcast to the kids.
OMG this gif has me crying. So random and funny at the same time. LORD!
If I had misgivings about meeting someone I met online, I would meet them in a busy, public place or inform them that a friend is coming with me. I certainly wouldn’t ask a friend to hide in my trunk… not unless I was up to no good.
during Irma?
Not going to dispute the claim that gays commit crimes because they are still people and people can be shitty no matter who they sleep with, but in this particular case Derricka was shot and killed so who was gonna rob who? I guess this all depends on who brought the gun
RIP dear human. You did not deserve to die in this manner.
Men’s. Like grocery stores, most jails have a separate section for fruits.
I’m sure it was. Things were so questionable in shows back(in the 1990s and yearly 2000s). Take Spongebob for example…lots of questionable things in that show, but kids still watch it.
Good point
I knew the friend willingly being in the trunk was sus. I’m claustrophobic so there’s no way I’m riding around in the trunk of someone’s car. Plus how can I assist my friend if I’m in the trunk? God don’t like ugly is all I can say at this point.
I think this is a case where two predators crossed paths.
Thought they were going to meet a sheep and ran into another wolf smh
Guess that would explain why so many in that generation are fruits…programming, smh.
LOLLOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!! Yes, now that you mention it the trannies I know did say that they were separated from the rest of the population….
Ok. So he hid in the trunk to protect his friend. Did it work? ?
Someone up top suggested Derricka didn’t use his pic but was catfishing. I know something about the friend being in the trunk is off.
Exactly! Neither one was what the other expected!
I am not fooling with you today ?
Damn shame.
At this age, I would of questioned the “come alone” part myself….Something sounds fishy…..
When these girls gone learn? Rip doll
That A changes everything! LMAO!
Sure did, i was comparing the friendship they have to the lil 19yr old in chicago..true friends nvr leave each other alone no matter what. When i go out with my girls if one gotta pee we all goin even if i aint gotta go…there are sum crazy ppl in this world
Good observation, didn’t think of it like that.
My goodness Trans are DYING at an alarming
rate, they need to protest themselves better,
SOME HOW. RIP.
The friend needs to stop lying about that trunk excuse. And I think everybody involved knew what it was: a presumed downlow thug in a rendezvous with a tranny.
Of course, it seems the downlow thug had other intentions.
Its entirely possible that the trunk tranny planned to record some sex and then upload it to a porn site too.
Either way, the thug probably was on the downlow–and also looking for a victim. This is a teachable moment–and not just for drag queens but other gay men and women as well: you don’t know who you’re letting hop into your car, or what his intentions are.
Just because somebody seems friendly doesn’t mean he won’t blow your damn head off and haul ass with your shyt. If its gonna be a hookup, then fine–but let him know you’ll have to meet in a public place and you need to have photos and verifiable info before you meet.
If he can’t do that, move on to the next one. Its all about playing safe.
His lawyer will argue self-defense. If he has a jury trial, it will be difficult to find people who will side with a man in a dress. The only real issue is the gun. If the shooter illegally obtained the firearm and didn’t have the state’s permission to carry, that’s an issue he won’t be able to avoid.
Another tranny story?
Ha,ha,ha!!!
Lotta questions, friend in trunk were they planning to rob the shooter when he became indisposed? People just need to be honest about who they are and what they want. That includes transgenders and these so called “straight” men.
Who rides around in a trunk while someone else is on a date
An accomplice.
this is suspect
nah, this shooter knew! Derricka (RIP) up there still got a visibly undeniable 5-o-clock shadow (no shade).
I’m still tryna figure out what he was doing in the trunk?? On the news, it said he was hiding because ‘Derrika’ didn’t want the suspect to know he had someone with him buuuuttt why feel the need to take someone with you? Did he feel unsafe, or were they bout to pull a lick themselves??
Sounds like U speaking from experience.
Derrick is a man. The person hiding in the trunk is a man. Two men could easily overpower a presumably unarmed man; especially, if his pants are around his ankles.
A lot of trannies carry pepper spray, knives, and stun guns. Right now, we have no idea if Derrick and his trunk-buddy had a weapon. Furthermore, what if the guy in the trunk tampered with the crime scene?
Maybe when they accept that they are not actual girls.
They met online…people are crazy and he should have followed his intuition and not gone. Sometimes you get bad vibes…the dude probably said something really tempting to make Derrika go anyway. Sad
All of that!
NOPE
Gay, straight or otherwise….aint they too old to be doing stupid shut like this? I mean come on, hiding in trunks, hook ups with strangers.. I’m convinced the inability (or flat out refusal) of many Black people to just grow up and be mature, is a major reason we stay last…
This is a sad story and yet another unnecessary death at the hands of a gun. She even went about it in the right way by bringing someone along with her, but unfortunately that wasn’t enough. My condolences to the family.
On a side note: It may seem strange for the friend to be in trunk, but it may have been two murders if the friend was actually sitting in the car. I am glad that she is able to tell at least part of the story.
Right and meeting this person online and traveling to hook up…yeah I’d have somebody with me too. He offered him something worth while and the friend isn’t speaking on it or they was gonna set dude up and he flipped the script and robbed Derricka instead
Public places are definitely safer if you stay there, but that doesn’t matter if you all leave that public place to go somewhere alone.
Exactly..??????when will these men learn that are not women bottom fckn line!!!????
Here’s some food for thought: What if Derrick was shot with his own gun? What if the shooter took the gun from Derrick during a struggle, and shot him?
Yeah… He probably won’t get off on the gun issue but I can see him avoiding murder charges since there was a guy hiding in the trunk — and you are absolutely right about folks not feeling sorry for a guy in a dress….
So your saying that because a male transitions to female, she should be killed for it?
Whatever your sexuality, you put yourself at risk meeting people online. It’s already dangerous mtg people in person and trusting them enough to decide on when to hang out alone. You never know who someone really is from the jump so, don’t ever ever begin your friendship with someone meeting alone. It’s not safe and simply stupid.
It happens.
The whole damn story…
18 that dude look all of 45.
The guy in the trunk is a prosecutor’s nightmare. His mere presence is enough for reasonable doubt.
So based off of “assumptions” that validates her death? I don’t see the problem in bringing your friend along for safety and depending on where y’all meet up and what y’all “planned” to do, may not call for your friend to actual be in the car with you.
I second that.
On Hastag Murder there was this story of this young gay successful black dude in Bklyn who got all excited to go meet this white boy he met online cuz white boy promised to get him high. Whiote boys & company kiiled this young man. He was soooo excited to go get high.
The trunk tranny. Choking on my pineapple.
Lol..
That’s what I’m saying..Like Presto magic. VOILA!.. lmaoooooooooooooo..
awww why not? You know it’s turn up Friday on here. :-):-)
Yes, it was
She was a man . A damn MAN! Taking hormones, wearing wigs and make up does not make one a woman. He had a prostate, scrotum and a penis. Women don’t have any of those things. His DNA, genetic coding and bone structure was that of a MALE! Stop trying to convince sane people other wise. We’re not buying y’all delusional fantasy. Stop forcing us to.
The trunk tranny
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Peter P, you are in rare form!!!! LMBAOFFFF!!!!!!!!!
An “A” means an instant v@gin@! ?
Yup. Ole greasy looking 18 year old is about to get a pass….
Ren and Stimpy
More holes that story than in an unopened package of swiss cheese.
I didn’t want to say it but yeah drugs and money breaks down walls of hesitation honey…have people second guessing themselves all the time
OK WE ALL KNOW THERE ARE SOME STRONG A$$ FACED WOMEN OUT HERE BUT THESE TRANNIES THAT ARE BEING KILLED LOOK NOTHING, NOTHING LIKE A NATURAL WOMAN!!!! NOOOOOO DOUBT THEY ARE MEN, MALES, BOYS SO THESE KILLERS AREN’T MAD AT THE TRANNIES OR BEING FOOLED BY THEM BUT THEY’RE DISGUSTED WITH WHO THEY REALLY ARE AND THE FACT THAT THEY LIKE WEENIES & BUSSY…………..JENNY JONES!!!
If he was concerned about his safety, he could have met his online “date” outside a police station, inside a crowded mall or any number of places where there are plenty of cameras and witnesses. Instead, he asked a friend to hide in his trunk. Set up.
I have nothing against transsexuals. What I can’t quite grasp is if they no it’s a possibly that you’d put your life in danger not being honest, then why not be. There is someone for everyone. Someone will accept you and love you just as you are. Why lie and possibly endanger yourself? That puzzles me! If who you pursuing can’t accept you as you are, move on. NO ONE is worth losing your life over. I have yet to find d*ck that good to make me wanna stop living in my 40 something years. Moral….stay in YOUR lane!
#imjustsaying
Blackck people get killed in urban areas every day. What makes people automatically assume his death had anything to do with his being a man in a dress? Moreover, I’m with Chicagowise on this one. I believe he and the friend in the trunk planned to rob the young man and the plan backfired. Who rides around in a trunk for no reason?. The story is implausible.
I agree
The friend in the trunk is a little fishy to me. They may have gone to do something shady and it went left
lol that made me hollered!!!! True, I was meaning they need to be honest and upfront about who they are. Believe it or not but It’s plenty of dudes into trannies.
What does “her” gender have to do with anything? How about you stop trying to spread hate, there is enough of that in the world already. Learn to live and let live.
That’s my guess.
If had a gay friend who was viciously attacked by a man who was hiding in the backseat of man’s car. He was lured into the vehicle by a second man he met in a bar.
Are you implying that she wasn’t already upfront with him?
Nothing in the article mentioned this idea and judging by early stages of her transition, I would bet he already knew.
…wow
That’s horrible. Some ppl are just vicious.
did the shooter not know the victim was not a woman. clearly, you can see it
THIS!!
lol.. you so bad
“Derrick was told to come alone, but he didn’t want to go because of the weather,” the friend told WSOC-TV. “So I went with him … and said I would have to hide and so I hid in the trunk of the vehicle.”
She did not ask her friend to get in the trunk, the friend chose the trunk as a hiding place.
Also, let’s be real here, who meets people in front of police stations?! I’ll wait… Now I agree, meeting in a public place is safer, but most people I know start there, but likely end up somewhere alone at some point.
It’s clear up and down this article that you have a bias. Trannies carry weapons because the men who fool with them get physical. After 20 people like you die in the same city so far this year, you’d carry protection too. The trunk hiding sounds sus, but I don’t believe Montavious was catfished and I do believe he brought a weapon with him. The truth will come out and we’ll find out if Derricka was strapped up too.
Say it again.
Yea, could’ve been a case of cat fishing to . Early stage tranny are know for cat fishing.
I’m gay. What exactly is my bias? I spent my youth around trannies. I know how they operate. Most of them are unemployed and unemployable. They are notorious for robberies and scams. That’s not a bias. That’s just the way it is.
A lot of people meet at police stations. In fact, police encourage citizens who sell items through websites like Craigslist, to make their exchanges inside a police station.
????*standing ovation*
You know the late 90’s and early 00’s kids look real old in the face??????????
This is a male. There is no such thing as a sex change. And gender is bullish.
As I said earlier, gays are still people and can still be shitty. Because you had unsavory transpeople around you in your youth, you are projecting that on all. Yes, gays are well aquainted with the scam game but undercover men also arent innocent by any means. You may have been right in one of your statements about two wrong people meeting at the wrong time but Ill wait for the full details before damning anyone in this situation.
Pretending to be something that you are not will get you killed. I think every transgender know this is fact but they persist on trying to obtain a straight man when their are plenty of gay men out looking for you.
No that would Sandra with her obsession with trannies.
NONE OF THESE PPL LOOK 18 or in their 20’s Auntie are you sure you got the she’s correct?? Man rip to the victim. YOU CANT MEET PPL ONLINE WHEN WILL PPL LEARN!!shoot you can meet someone and know them for years and they turn out crazy
I feel like he was gone rob him then agin ion know ?????
I just said that!!! ? What is in the water!! What type of life these kids living prolly those mollies and percs
Dick ain’t worthy dying for honey lol
Yeah, but most predators are not trying to be seen by a lot of people if his plan is to stuff your ass in a dumpster somewhere
I presume you mean from the standpoint of the tranny? Actually, no. I haven’t been killed in a robbery by a downlow thug before.
Maybe you can try it and let us know how it works out?
Im tired of playing detective
That would be plausible if the shooter wasn’t being charged with armed robbery as well.
You feel better now that you got that out!
Let me add another two cents to this post. I’ve been working on some projects lately and have been so super tied up with that, glad to know y’all have kept the kitchen light on for me.
These trannies don’t have to “catfish” anybody anymore because a lot of these fellas claiming they don’t “get down” are definitely getting down–and at a ferocious rate.
Trannies know this. Most of them are willing to stay on the sidelines–unseen and unheard, except for those intimate and discreet occasions. That’s what a lot of these guys prefer.
The real tea is the fact that most men who like trannies typically want the tranny to penetrate them. I know of married, successful, well-known men who like to get dicked down by trannies. I don’t understand it but its happening.
Word of caution: men cheat. And don’t assume that he’s cheating with a woman.
Feel better? Naw just stating a fact, you seem butt hurt though…
How does calling her by her preferred gender pronoun affect you?
Ladies be careful because unless this chomp stayed on the short-bus,there is no way he didn’t know that wasn’t a man.
I don’t know but they living rough asF
Old as E-Mofo
Chile, I’m not talking about the sell of goods. I’m saying, ain’t nobody meeting at a police station for their 1st date, lol.
LMAO.. for real
Correction. ‘Derricka’.
That’s possible, but maybe it was the killer who doing the catfishing?? #neverknow
So how does hiding in a trunk help? Obviously, you can’t offer your friend any kind of help or protection if he’s in the car next to the alleged “predator” and you are locked away inside of the trunk. There is NO logical reason for the third person being in the trunk unless he planned to pop out later and attack the young man who didn’t know he was there.
Eddie Murphy comes to mind.
Am I the only one who thought that was Young Joc at first glance ???
It makes me a liar and I’d prefer not to lie for no reason but to further people’s delusions.
Could’ve . Read more details about it and it seems as if there planned backfired
You can just as easily call a person by their “chosen name” or use terms such as them, they or their… This should help you not have to deal with feeling like a “liar”, smh.
I didn’t see an article outside of Sandra’s post. What more did you learn?
STFU with that spreading hate bull shit! You people are never held accountable for your despicable actions. It’s always whoa is me I’m a tranny accept me even though I’m a lying mentally ill nut job. He will never be a she not now not ever. Disrespectful lying garbage the lot of you. Y’all hate women yet want to walk around pretending to be one. Y’all expect women to roll over and accept you men that want to take over our spaces. FOH!
One, calling one person them or they makes zero sense. Two, I never asked for your “help” and I will do as I please.
He’ll need to show me a state issued ID. ?
How many people go on a first date with a friend in the trunk of their car? If you’re meeting someone for the first time, it’s best to meet them a very public place with lots of cameras and witnesses. Inviting a stranger in to your car or home, is risky business.
It has become common speech to use “they” as a singular word when referring to a person. I am actually attempting to educate you, as you may be ignorant to the use of gender neutral pronouns.
Gee, your hostile Jahnee. I have no idea why you have lumped me in with being “trans”. Is it because I am defending them? Again, stop spreading your hate and worry more about yourself and things you need to work on, as none of us are perfect.
Lol just no girl. No one calls one person they… and since pro nouns are generally not used in the persons presence I’m not going to worry about it. It sounds like you care a little too much about this non issue.
No need to “educate” me when u believe ppl can change sexes. Pure nonsense.
I don’t disagree that it’s risky, still doesn’t change the fact that a person was murdered. And I stand firm on the fact that people don’t go to police stations to meet a date, lol.
And let’s be clear, we all make mistakes or have put ourselves in “risky” situations. So, whether than blame the victim, let’s show some compassion and understanding.
More than 20 women have been murdered this year and women haven’t started carrying weapons as the norm. This is male behavior which makes sense cause these are all men.
I think it depends on your crowd. I would assume that you aren’t around people who see gender as non-binary, which by the way, doesn’t make them gay. I think that when you have someone close to you that you respect and they respect you, you are able to make the shift because it is important to them.
One of my now good friends identifies this way. At first it was complex to not use gender conforming terms because that’s all I knew how to do. But I got the swing of things and valued how they felt. I would relate it to someone growing up with a nickname and as they mature, they want everyone to call them by their real name. This process is difficult for most of the person’s family and friends, but if they care enough they will really try to make the change and respect their wishes.
Stop trying to turning this into a whoa is me contest. I’m not hostile I’m speaking the truth, no matter how you try to spin it. XX = Female XY = Male. Bye!
Let’s see, your writing in all caps and putting exclamation points behind it. Seems pretty hostile and loud to me, lol.
And it’s not a whoa is me moment, as I am not trans and don’t mind being called by my born gender “he”.
I’m bisexual so no homophobia here… I don’t see gender as anything because gender is made up, sex is real. I am attracted to sex not a persons “gender expression” and hey if you want to appease your friend that’s great but a man will always be a man to me and a woman will always be a woman. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a masculine woman or a femme man but no I wouldn’t feed my friends delusions.
That’s so dismissive though, but hey we can agree to disagree as it pertains to respecting how someone chooses to identify. Nice to have a mature, online discussion with you.
No hard feelings, nice speaking w/ u too.
Note: I did not read the article however, stop messing around with these grown arse straight men because they are not for “play, play!!!!”
LOL. Eddie was searching for anaconda.
RIP but some men look wwaaayy to masculine to transition to female just remain a gay male
Instead of leaning on compassion and understanding, for a suspicious character who may or may not be a victim, I’d rather use this as a teachable moment to illustrate the dangers of hooking up with strangers.
????
Speak on it, Chicago. You have even 100% on the mark with every one of your comments.
No thank U. I’ll let U try it since U the resident expert here.
Thank you. ?
I’m not always right, but I always try to think before I speak. I try to remove my emotions and think objectively.
Why did his friend hide in the trunk? I wonder if him and his friend was out there playing the “DL detective” and it backfired?
What do you mean, may or may not have been the victim? The guy has been charged with murder & armed robbery, lol. You are reaching to make this scenario fit your perception of trans people.
DRY. And lame.
Too bad there wasn’t room for you in that trunk.
It occurred to me that the trunk tranny is lucky that guy didn’t take the car only to discover there was an additional passenger. Usually, criminals as bold and dumb as he is take the damn car and ride around the hood for a few days until the cops catch them.
I wouldn’t give a damn, no way would I slouch my ass up in a damn trunk. That is absolutely crazy.
But he thought it was a woman?? ?
That’s a loyal friend to hide in the trunk.
Dead @ “Trunk tranny” Rip to the victim.
plan backfired for sure
For sure…why you in the trunk. That story is BS
yeah but this is from the friends testimony?
you really believe he was in the trunk fir safety?
I would still be smart and alive.
That’s a technique used when you trying to rob or kill someone hide in the trunk. The friend wants to remain anonymous. “Hey Mook Mook who was in the trunk? ” Poor thing the streets talk. If Im coming to meet you at 3a.m I better know you real well.
lol a damn fool
—a loyal friend will tell u to chill—
chill.
but then;;; this is a story about two men who are confused about their own gender…
that’s what it sounds like to me
EXACTLY!!
The same rule I was taught coming up as kid and still obey, never leave each other alone or stray away from one another. Me and 8 cousins(girls) we obey that rule our parents laid that on us, from all kind events; movies, parties, teen clubs, school events. If one us went to the restroom, we all went, who you came with is who you leave with. Our parents meant that..
This is so stupid…to my LGBTQ family stop hooking up on these apps after knowing a person for 5 mins. Sometimes trade can’t take the fact they just screwed another man once their dicks are not hard anymore they come to reality & be like WTF did I just do?!!!!
Once again…most men KNOW that its a TRANS FEMALE trust me, the issue becomes an issue when their HOMEBOYS find out & clown them or sum shit. Most of them know
I’m pretty sure he knew…ole gurl (trans female) had a 5 o’clock shadow
Wait.
Dude should have shot his self thinking this was a woman. Throw da book at him!
what happened to this man was a tragedy