One Year and 5 Months Later, An Arrest Was Made In The Murder of Khadija Derry
Nearly a year after 22-year-old Khadija Derry was senselessly killed, the U.S. Marshals Service has arrested a juvenile suspect in connection with her murder. The arrest was made by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, and the juvenile—now linked to a local gang tied to armed robberies, narcotics, trafficking, and multiple homicides—was booked into Bexar County Jail earlier this week.
Authorities identified two suspects in the shooting. The second suspect was reportedly killed in April 2024.
A Mother’s Faith, Pain, and Fight for Justice
Derry’s family has been calling for justice for nearly a year—and on Monday, they became one step closer. Her mother, Kuquanda Perkins, says the arrest brings a sense of closure, but it’s far from the end.
“I’ve prayed for justice. I wanted to see somebody be arrested,” said Perkins to Kens5. “I walk around every day and it may look like it’s all together but inside, I’m shattered and broken into pieces.”
Perkins says she’s leaned heavily on her faith to navigate the overwhelming pain of losing her daughter to senseless violence, and the months of silence that followed. The arrest, while significant, marks the beginning of a new chapter: one focused on accountability, healing, and continued advocacy.
A Mother’s Grief, a Community’s Voice
Perkins has been outspoken since her daughter’s death. At a mentoring event hosted by J.L. August Bridge Builders, she turned her unimaginable grief into a public call to end the violence.
On what would have been her daughter’s 23rd birthday, November 6th 2024, Mrs. Perkins stood before a packed room of students and community members, sharing the pain of losing a daughter to senseless gunfire.
“I had to bury my daughter before her 23rd birthday,” she said tearfully. “No parent should ever experience that.” Her words moved the crowd, and her presence transformed Khadija’s story into a rallying point for youth and advocates determined to change the narrative on San Antonio’s East Side.
Still Seeking Justice, Still Demanding Change
As the two-year mark of Khadija’s death approaches, her name remains a symbol of the community and the urgent need for solutions rooted in accountability, prevention, and healing.
