Zachee Imanitwitaho

Zachee Imanitwitaho publicly provided by facebook. Graphically enhanced for artistic purposes by author.
Preferred NameZachee ImanitwitahoCityLouisville
Other Names UsedImanitwithago ZacheeStateKY
Age26Gender IdentityTranswoman
RaceBlackDate of Death02/03/2023

Crime Category: Altercation | Weapon Used: Gun


On February 3rd, 2023, in Louisville, KY, Zachee Imanitwitaho was shot by a coworker in the parking lot of her workplace. Also identified as Imanitwithago Zachee.

According to police, “Based off of viewing the video, it appears the gunshot wound, the first gunshot to the head, incapacitated the victim,” LMPD Homicide Detective Kevin Carrillo said. “When she went to the ground and then it appears two more shots were fired as she was laying on the ground directly over her.

Location: 1300 block of Story Avenue, Louisville, KY, at about 3:15 p.m.


Personal Information:

Zachee grew up in a refugee camp in Rwanda and stayed there until immigrating to Louisville in 2019. Becky Burnside and Catholic Charities helped her make the move.

“What I will always remember … her big smile, her excitement to be here in the U.S. and start her life, find a job, support herself and her family,” Burnside said. “It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of and so tragic to see it cut short.”

Zachee Imanitwitaho publicly provided by facebook. Graphically enhanced for artistic purposes by author.

Murder Suspect:

Edilberto Lores Reyes

58 | Latino

Motive: Unknown

Charged: Murder

Hate Crime: Unknown

Last Update: 02/22/2023

Current Status: Awaiting Trial

Case ID: 23-CR-000572

Disposition Date: 03/27/2023

JEFFERSON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, KY

COMMONWEALTH VS. REYES, EDILBERTO LORES

STATUS HEARING is scheduled: 04/17/2024

Police have not released any details regarding the motive of the shooting. Reyes has pleaded not guilty. “The victim was pronounced deceased on scene,” Carrillo said. “Shortly after the shooting occurred, Mr. Reyes showed up at the Department of Corrections and informed corrections staff that he had just killed somebody.”

The citation said the gun used in the shooting was inside Lores-Reyes’ vehicle which was parked outside Metro Corrections. Lores-Reyes has not been charged with a hate crime.

2/23/23: bond from $100,000 to 150,000 and determined Reyes was a “danger to the community.”

March 2023: Grand Jury Trial


News Timeline: 02/04/2023 | 02/05/2023 | 02/09/2023 | 02/13/2023 | 02/15/2023 | 02/22/2023

Man arrested after police say he confessed to shooting, killing person in Louisville’s Butchertown neighborhood – Zachee Imanitwitaho. (2023, February 4). WDRB. https://www.wdrb.com/news/crime-reports/man-arrested-after-police-say-he-confessed-to-shooting-killing-person-in-louisvilles-butchertown-neighborhood/article_2a15d6d4-a404-11ed-a7a9-1370ab9e4b1b.html

Lally, T., & Steffen, C. (2023, February 6). Transgender woman killed in shooting outside JBS plant in Butchertown called “kind” and “happy” – Zachee Imanitwitaho. WHAS11 ABC. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/jbs-butchertown-plant-shooting-imanitwitaho-zache-edilberto-lores-reyes/417-b407ed75-949a-4709-974a-55e7cf335868

Powell, L. (2023, February 13). HRC Mourns Zachee Imanitwitaho, “Kind and Happy” Transgender Woman, Killed In Louisville, Kentucky. Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org/news/hrc-mourns-zachee-imanitwitaho-kind-and-happy-transgender-woman-killed-in-louisville-kentucky

Townsend, B. (2023, February 15). Suspect pleads not guilty to the killing of Black transgender woman, Imanitwithago Zachee. Queer Kentucky. https://queerkentucky.com/suspect-pleads-not-guilty-to-the-killing-of-black-transgender-woman-imanitwithago-zachee/

WAVE Staff. (2023, February 22). Bond raised for man accused of fatal shooting at JBS parking lot – Zachee Imanitwitaho. WAVE3. https://www.wave3.com/2023/02/22/bond-raised-man-accused-fatal-shooting-jbs-parking-lot/

Images are publicly available through public sources, personal posts, family members and information websites as well as stills from cited videos and news websites. Images are digitally enhanced for artistic purposes. All information is accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge at time of publishing. Updates will be made as needed.