Mourners gathered in a sea of yellow at Sam Houston High School to honor the life of 22-year-old Khadija Derry, who was brutally murdered near her family's home in Converse. News 4 San Antonio reported that the young woman was slain while sitting in her vehicle on the evening of December 6.
The tragedy has been felt deeply by Khadija's mother, Kuquanda Perkins, who described the attack as "a nightmare." Perkins told KENS 5, "I have to honestly say I have anger, I have hatred." Her comments underscore the relentless grief and the unresolved search for answers. The vigil underscored a community in mourning, as well as a united front against violence.
KENS 5 further detailed Derry's life as an energetic college athlete with a passion for basketball that she shared with the youth at her alma mater. The devastating news shook the family who remembered Derry's smile as one that would "light up any room." Per their account, the family now feels a void in their home, questioning their safety and if the killer might strike again.
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the case but have to yet reveal any suspects to the public. The family continues to seek justice, calling on the community for assistance and hoping for someone to step forward with information. "It's emotional pain, it's mental anguish," Perkins described the toll that her daughter's murder has taken on her well-being.
A memorial service was held on Sunday afternoon at Sam Houston High School, as the family and friends of Derry continued to remember and celebrate her life. As the community grapples with the violence that abruptly ended a beloved young woman's life, the echo of their plea for justice resonates, punctuated by the anguished words of a mother whose world has been irrevocably altered.
