Just weeks after police made an arrest in Khadija Derry’s death, the suspect was released.
SAN ANTONIO — 17 months after the deadly shooting of a 22-year-old woman in Converse, an arrest was finally made. But just weeks after the suspect was taken into custody, he has been released.
The suspect, who has not been identified due to his age at the time of the crime was accused of killing Khadija Derry in December 2023. The case has remained in the juvenile justice system.
Derry was shot and killed while sitting in a car outside her home. Her family said she was struck by at least 20 bullets.
Court officials confirmed to KENS 5 Tuesday that the teen was released because the case was not filed by a legal deadline. However, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office disputes that explanation.
In a statement, the DA’s Office said they returned the case to Converse Police for further investigation and did not miss any filing deadline.
Investigators previously said surveillance video showed two shooters ambushing Derry. In May, Converse Police announced one of the suspects had been killed in April 2024. The other was arrested.
Police said interviews and digital evidence linked the surviving suspect to the murder. But prosecutors said the current evidence is not sufficient to move forward with a murder charge at this time.
Derry’s family has remained vocal in their calls for justice. Her mother, Kuquanda Perkins, said she is not giving up.
“At some point, everything is going to come to the light,” Perkins told KENS 5.
Despite the release, the family believes investigators arrested the right person.
“You know you’re guilty and you have to live with that,” Perkins said. “Your conscience will eat you alive—whether it’s through the justice system or through your own personal recognizance.”
KENS 5 reached out to Converse Police for comment on the teen’s release but has not yet received a response.
As for who fell short investigating the case, Perkins said she isn’t ready to point fingers just yet.
“Your time will come,” she said.