On an autumn evening in St. Louis, Missouri, a 42-year-old Black man named Robert Woods was at his job as a clerk at a Dollar General store, unaware that his life was about to be tragically cut short. On November 1, 2018, a man with a gun entered the store located at 4038 North Grand Boulevard in the city's Fairground neighborhood, announced a robbery, and began shooting. Woods was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene.
Authorities at the time did not believe he was specifically targeted.
The investigation into the murder of Robert Woods led authorities to Derrick T. Adams. Store employees told police that a man had entered with a raised gun and started firing while announcing a robbery.
Years later, in October 2025, Derrick T. Adams, then 31, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in connection with Woods' death as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. The original charge of first-degree murder was amended as part of this agreement. Adams was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the fatal robbery attempt.
