In the late summer of 2021, the life of 19-year-old Dixie Pauline Derrick was tragically cut short in Greenwood, South Carolina. On the evening of August 26th, a heated argument in the parking lot of the Twin Oaks Apartments escalated to violence. During the dispute, a handgun was drawn, and Dixie was struck by a bullet. She was rushed to Self Regional Healthcare in critical condition.
Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries two days later.
The Greenwood Police Department quickly launched a homicide investigation. Their inquiries led them to identify 30-year-old Keela Rochelle Stoudemire of Clinton, South Carolina, as the primary suspect. Investigators learned that Derrick and Stoudemire had a history of conflicts and ongoing issues. Stoudemire was arrested and initially charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Following Derrick's death, the attempted murder charge was upgraded to murder.
Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting revealed that another individual was involved. Stephanie Deshay Holmes, a 38-year-old from Greenwood, was also arrested in connection with the incident. Holmes was charged with accessory after the fact to a felony, with authorities stating that she had assisted Stoudemire. While the initial arrests were made and charges were filed, information regarding the trials, convictions, or sentencing for either Keela Rochelle Stoudemire or Stephanie Deshay Holmes is not available in the public record. The final legal resolution of the case remains unclear.
