San Antonio, Texas — A week after allegedly killing his uncle, a 26-year-old man called 911 to report the crime, directing police to the location of the body concealed in a backyard recycling bin. Aquiminee La Roy Crawford now faces murder charges related to the fatal shooting of Derrick Cornell Crawford, 52.
The incident unfolded on May 17 when authorities responded to Crawford’s emergency call reporting that his uncle had been shot. Upon arriving at the Sterling Street residence, officers were informed that the victim was located in the backyard. As officers approached a recycling bin, a foul odor prompted one officer to investigate further, resulting in the grim discovery of Derrick Crawford’s lifeless body wrapped in trash bags.
Paramedics pronounced Derrick Crawford dead at the scene, and the Bexar County Medical Examiner later confirmed that multiple gunshot wounds were responsible for his death. Investigators established that the shooting likely occurred on or around May 9 within the same home, where Aquiminee lived with his uncle.
During an interview at police headquarters, Aquiminee recounted the events leading to the shooting. He described becoming enraged after an argument with his uncle, claiming Derrick used an insulting name that triggered him. In a fit of anger, Aquiminee claimed he retrieved a firearm and shot Derrick five times in their living room.
Authorities noted that at least two shots struck the victim’s head and chest. Subsequent investigations revealed blood spatter in the home, corroborating Crawford’s narrative. Officers also found the handgun, spent shell casings, and Derrick’s cellphone in Crawford’s bedroom.
The days between the shooting and the 911 call raised questions for investigators, who have yet to determine why Aquiminee waited so long to inform law enforcement. Neighbors reported a persistent odor outside the home, suggesting that some residents were aware something was amiss. However, it remains unclear whether this odor influenced Crawford’s delayed call to police.
Aquiminee Crawford was arrested and taken to the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, where he initially faced charges of abuse of a corpse. As the investigation advanced, police upgraded the charges to murder, setting his bond at $250,000. The implications of the case are still unfolding, as prosecutors decide whether to pursue additional charges.
The house on Sterling Street now stands as a crime scene where further investigation is underway, but details about Derrick Crawford’s life remain sparse. Family members continue to grieve his loss, yet the community waits for more information about the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.
Currently, Aquiminee remains incarcerated while awaiting court proceedings, with the next steps likely to emerge in formal legal settings and future filings. As this case develops, the search for answers continues, both for the family and the community disturbed by the violent incident.