Justice for Khadija Derry: A Community Unites Against Gun Violence
Under the bright lights of the Sam Houston Gymnasium, the J.L. August Bridge Builders mentoring session gathered young adults, community leaders, and parents with one shared purpose: to address the devastating impact of gun violence on the East Side of San Antonio. The session was a somber yet empowering event, marked by the heartfelt testimony of Mrs. Kuquanda Perkins, the mother of Khadija Derry, whose life was tragically cut short last December.
On what would have been Khadija’s 23rd birthday, Mrs. Perkins turned her grief into advocacy, addressing young people about the devastating consequences of gun violence.
Remembering Khadija Derry: A Life Lost Too Soon
Khadija Derry was a vibrant 22-year-old who touched many lives through her faith, academics, and athletics.
Growing up in San Antonio, Khadija attended S.J. Davis and Sam Houston schools within the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) on the Eastside, excelling both academically and athletically.
She was an active member of Lilly of The Valley Missionary Baptist Church, Khadija played a vital role in the youth department, mentoring younger members and serving as a positive influence.
A star athlete, friend Khadija left a lasting impression not only on the court, but with everyone she came in contact with.
December 6, 2023, Khadija lost her life to senseless gun violence as she was shot nearly 20 times. As the one-year mark of Khadija’s tragic passing approaches, her murder remains unsolved, leaving her family in deep anguish and the community united in the pursuit of justice.
A Mother’s Pain Becomes a Call to Action
On November 6, during the J.L. August Bridge Builders Mentoring session, Khadija Derry’s 23rd birthday became a moment of transformation for her mother. Turning her grief into a mission, she shared Khadija’s story with a room of young people, urging them to make positive life choices and avoid the devastating consequences of violence.
“I had to bury my daughter before her 23rd birthday. No parent should ever experience that,” Mrs. Perkins said, her voice cracking with emotion. She described the heartbreak of identifying her daughter’s body, a moment forever etched in her memory.
Designed to raise awareness and equip young people with the tools to make positive life choices and steer clear of the traps of violence, Mrs. Perkins’s raw and heartfelt story strikes a powerful chord within the Eastside community, where many are all too familiar with such heartbreaking realities.
Perkins is sparking meaningful conversations about conflict resolution, community accountability, and the importance of saying something when you see something.
The session concluded with a moment of silence for Khadija and other victims of gun violence. Attendees left with heavy hearts but renewed and continued determination to create a safer environment for the next generation.
The Role of Mentorship in Preventing Violence
Khadija’s story highlights a broader crisis impacting communities like the San Antonio’s East Side. According to a report by Everytown for Gun Safety, firearms are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-24, with young Black Americans being disproportionately affected.
In Texas, nearly 3,600 people die annually from gun violence—a statistic that underscores the urgency of initiatives like the J.L. August Bridge Builders mentoring program.
A Community’s Plea & Turning Tragedy Into Change
Nearly a year after Khadija Derry’s passing, her murder remains unsolved, leaving her family and community deeply unsettled. Investigators have pieced together some leads, but no arrests have been made in connection to her case.
As Khadija’s case remains open, and her family pleads for information that could lead to the arrest of her killer. “We cannot heal until justice is served,” said Mrs. Perkins. She emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving crimes, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Authorities have noted that social media and potential gang-related activity may play a role, with one Instagram video allegedly capturing the moments before and after the shooting. Despite these leads, no definitive connections have been confirmed.
“Justice for Khadija” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a call to action. As the community reflects on her life and the potential she represented, her story serves as a reminder to the community about the urgent need to address the root causes of gun violence in San Antonio.
Derry’s family and Converse police urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the need for community support to bring justice to Khadija’s memory and end the violence plaguing the area.
Know something? Say something. Let Khadija’s legacy be one of change and hope.
