Dereke DeWayne Alexander Sr., a 57-year-old African-American man from Akron, Ohio, was fatally shot on November 16, 2017. He was employed by Liniform Linen & Uniform Service and was known in his community as the "candy man" for his habit of handing out candies to children. On the day of his death, Dereke was shot four times behind the Baho Convenience Store on West Market Street.
Despite being rushed to the Cleveland Clinic Akron General, he succumbed to his injuries within hours.
The investigation into Dereke's murder revealed that the crime might have been personal, as the evidence suggested the shooter knew the victim. Surveillance footage from the convenience store and forensic evidence played a crucial role in identifying the suspects. The police issued a BOLO for a thin, tall African-American male with dark clothing and red soles, who was seen fleeing the scene.
Two suspects, Jerry Alford and Dexter Moore, were eventually apprehended and charged with Dereke's murder. Jerry Alford was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 21 years. Dexter Moore was charged with felonious assault and obstructing justice, receiving a five-year sentence. The motive behind the murder was believed to be a $60 debt, which the authorities described as a senseless and evil act.
Dereke's family and community continue to feel the impact of his loss, as he was remembered as a kind, caring, and energetic individual who always had a sense of humor. His son, Rainer Alexander, delivered a tearful victim impact statement during the sentencing, expressing that his father did not deserve what happened to him.
The case was profiled on Investigation Discovery's show "The Murder Tapes: Murder of Convenience," highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding Dereke's death and the subsequent legal proceedings against his killers.
