🕵️♂️ In the Shadow of Injustice: Derrick Groves, Kim Groves, and a Family’s Unending Struggle ⚖️
🕵️♂️ In the Shadow of Injustice: Derrick Groves, Kim Groves, and a Family’s Unending Struggle ⚖️
🌱 Growing Up in the Aftermath
Derrick Groves was born into the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, a place where resilience and hardship often go hand in hand. Nearly three years before his birth, his grandmother Kim Groves—a mother of three—was murdered in a notorious police hit ordered by corrupt NOPD officer Len Davis. The trauma of this tragedy would ripple through Derrick’s life like a shadow he could never escape.
Neighbors and family remember Derrick as a “sweet child” who tutored others 📚 and helped kids learn to ride bikes 🚲. But the pain of loss—first his grandmother, then his brother to violence—left deep scars. As one family friend put it, “You’re supposed to trust the police. Why would you? You killed my grandmother.” 💔
🚨 From Promise to Pain: A Descent into Crime
As Derrick entered his teens and twenties, the weight of trauma and the challenges of his environment seemed to pull him down a darker path:
2017: Pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the killing of Woodrow Smith.
2018: Convicted (with accomplice Kendall Barnes) for a Mardi Gras Day shooting that killed two and injured three. The intended target was a local heroin dealer, but the violence left the community shaken.
2019: Pleaded guilty to manslaughter in another killing and faced federal drug trafficking charges. He even attacked an inmate who testified against him—showing a pattern of retaliation and escalating violence.
2024-2025: After multiple retrials, Derrick was finally convicted for the Mardi Gras shootings. Facing life in prison, he escaped from jail in May 2025, sparking a massive manhunt and fear throughout New Orleans.
🧩 Derrick’s story is not just about crime—it’s about cycles of trauma, distrust, and a system that failed to protect or heal.
🔗 Was It Revenge? The Rumor Mill Spins
A tantalizing rumor on social media suggested that Derrick’s 2018 shooting victims were related to Paul “Cool” Hardy—the hitman who killed Kim Groves. Was this revenge? 🧐
Fact Check: Official reports say the target was a drug dealer, not Hardy’s relatives.
No Evidence: No court documents or credible news sources confirm a family connection.
Bigger Picture: Derrick’s crimes seem more tied to street violence and drug trafficking than a focused quest for vengeance.
While the rumor is dramatic, it remains unproven. Derrick’s life appears shaped more by his environment and trauma than by a single-minded pursuit of those who hurt his family.
👨👩👧👦 Family, Fear, and the Fight for Justice
Kim Groves’ murder devastated her children—and the pain echoed into Derrick’s generation. His aunt Jasmine became an outspoken advocate for police oversight, holding memorials and fighting for justice. The family won a $1.5 million civil rights settlement, but no amount of money could erase the loss.
After Derrick’s escape, police questioned his mother and searched for leads, fearing he might reach out or retaliate. His family, meanwhile, pleaded for him to surrender peacefully, terrified he could become another victim of a broken system.
🏁 Where Things Stand Now
As of May 2025, Derrick Groves remains at large. The FBI, U.S. Marshals, and Louisiana State Police are on high alert, offering a $50,000 reward for information. His escape has left prosecutors and victims’ families in fear, some even fleeing the state.
Despite the rumors and speculation, there’s no solid proof Derrick sought revenge against those involved in his grandmother’s murder. What’s clear is that the wounds of Kim Groves’ death—and the failures of the justice system—continue to haunt her family and community.
💬 Final Thoughts
Derrick Groves’ story is a tragic reflection of how violence, trauma, and systemic injustice can shape a life. It’s a call to remember Kim Groves, to support families scarred by loss, and to demand accountability from those in power. 🙏
What do you think? Should Derrick’s story be seen as a cautionary tale, or as a call for deeper reform? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️
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