The transgender community and its allies are grappling with grief and outrage following the tragic death of Quanesha “Cocoa” Shantel, a Black transgender woman and cherished drag performer. Shantel, known for her captivating performances and radiant spirit, was fatally shot on November 10 in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was in her mid-to-late 20s, with news outlets reporting varying ages.
The police found Shantel in her car, suffering multiple gunshot wounds. The incident occurred outside the apartment of her former boyfriend, Jeremy Reynolds, 31, on Guilford College Road. Despite her injuries, she managed to drive a short distance before crashing her vehicle. Despite the prompt arrival of emergency responders, they pronounced her dead at the scene.
Police arrested Reynolds two days later, charging him with first-degree murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling or vehicle. The Guilford County Detention Center currently holds him without bond. According to friends and family, Shantel had ended their two-year relationship four months prior, but Reynolds continued to contact her, pleading to see her again.
Shantel was a vibrant figure in the ballroom scene, performing under the stage name Quanesha Shantel and affectionately known as Cocoa among friends. She was a proud member of the House of Mizrahi and graced stages across the Southeast and as far as Chicago. Audiences and fellow performers alike praised her performances for their elegance and energy.
“She was just pretty as hell, and a bougie little thing,” recalled Ira Owens, a close friend and her drag father—a mentor in the drag community. “She had this radiant complexion and the most stunning outfits. She was a loving and caring person who brought joy to everyone around her.”
Early Acceptance and Unwavering Support
Shantel’s journey of self-discovery began early in life. At the age of 11, she came out as transgender to her mother, Toi Ni’Cole Ratliff. “She said, ‘Mama, I want to transition over,'” Ratliff shared. “You wouldn’t imagine that a young person would know it at that age, but she did. And I told her, ‘I’ll support you through it. But if you do it, do it right.’ And she had it from there!”
Ratliff, who had Shantel when she was just 14, described their relationship as more than just mother and daughter. “We practically grew up together. She was my best friend,” she said. The loss has been particularly devastating for Ratliff, who last spoke with her daughter on the morning of the incident. “She was happy and full of joy, laughing. She didn’t mention any problems,” Ratliff recalled.
Beyond her contributions to the arts, Shantel was taking significant steps toward a new career. She had recently enrolled in nursing school, eager to channel her compassion and desire to help others into a profession that would make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“She was so excited about nursing school. It was the perfect profession for her,” Owens noted. “She had a heart for caring, and she wanted to make a positive impact on the world.”
A Community in Mourning
The transgender community and its allies have been deeply shocked by the news of Shantel’s death. Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative, expressed profound sorrow over the loss.
“We grieve the death of Cocoa,” Cooper said in a statement. “Like so many of our trans siblings, Cocoa should be with her loved ones today. I pray that her friends and family find some measure of peace and joy in the memories of her during this extremely difficult time.”
Cooper also highlighted the broader issues of violence and discrimination faced by transgender individuals. “Choosing violence against anyone for any reason is unacceptable and inexcusable, as is the inaction by those in power who turn a blind eye to gun violence and transphobia to suit their own political agendas. It’s time for communities across this country to reckon with the fact that their silence makes them complicit.”
A Disturbing Trend of Violence
Shantel’s death marks at least the 30th violent killing of a transgender or gender-nonconforming person in the United States in 2024, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). However, underreporting and instances where authorities and media outlets misgendered or deadnamed victims likely make the actual number higher.
The statistics paint a grim picture:
- 87% of the known victims in 2024 were people of color.
- 50% were Black transgender women.
- 26% of transgender and gender-expansive victims of fatal violence since 2013 were killed by romantic or sexual partners.
- 76.6% of Black transgender women victims were killed with firearms.
These numbers underscore the heightened vulnerability of Black transgender women to both intimate partner violence and gun violence.
Calls for Change and Accountability
Advocates are urging for systemic changes to address the root causes of such violence. This includes pushing for comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, better enforcement of existing hate crime statutes, and increased support services for transgender individuals facing domestic violence.
“Hateful stereotypes, rhetoric, and legislation fuel violence against transgender people,” Cooper emphasized. “We must demand better of our elected officials as well as each other.”
To ensure that victims receive the same respect in death as they did in life, organizations are also calling for more accurate reporting from law enforcement and the media. Misgendering and deadnaming not only disrespect the individual but also contribute to the erasure of transgender experiences and the magnitude of violence against the community.
Remembering Quanesha “Cocoa” Shantel
As the community mourns, many are choosing to celebrate Shantel’s life and the joy she brought to those around her. Vigils and memorials are being organized, offering spaces for collective grieving and remembrance.
“She was a light in this world,” said Owens. “Her spirit, her laughter, her performances—they all left an indelible mark on so many lives. We will carry her memory with us and continue to fight for a world where transgender individuals can live authentically without fear.”
The Bottom Line
The tragic loss of Shantel is a stark reminder of the work that remains in ensuring the safety and acceptance of transgender individuals. We encourage allies to stand in solidarity, educate themselves and others, and actively combat transphobia in all its forms.
Resources are available for those affected by this tragedy and for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence. You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for confidential support.
We enter the final month of 2024, reminding the transgender community and its allies of the importance of unity, advocacy, and compassion. We can make progress toward a more just and accepting society by uniting in the fight for equality and safety.
We will never forget Shantel’s legacy as a performer, friend, and cherished community member. Her life serves as both a celebration of authenticity and a call to address the pervasive issues that led to her untimely death.
While Shantel is no longer with us, her impact endures. Let us honor her memory by continuing to uplift transgender voices, challenge injustices, and strive for a world where everyone can live freely and safely as their true selves.
Remembering those we’ve lost strengthens our resolve to protect and cherish those who are still with us. Together, we can create change.
