Derrick Penny was a 54-year-old Black man described as outgoing, a jack of all trades and a father of ten. He and four other men were found shot to death in a St. Louis County apartment near Dellwood on the afternoon of Saturday, July 6, 2019, when someone who had been with the group the night before returned and discovered the scene. The other victims were identified as James L. Penny, 54 and Derrick’s twin brother; Ronald Brewster Jr., 40; Rodney E. Holt, 37; and Rondall Mullin, 65.

Authorities treated the killings as a robbery gone wrong linked to drug activity inside the apartment. Two suspects were taken into custody within days: 29-year-old Terrance Wesley after a three-hour standoff near the scene, and 30-year-old Anthony Watkins at police headquarters. Prosecutors charged both men with five counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted robbery, and ten counts of armed criminal action. One defendant was later acquitted at trial; the other pleaded guilty and was sentenced, and the investigation is now considered closed.

If anyone knew Derrick, his twin James, or the other victims and has memories to share, those remembrances could help preserve who they were.