Suspect made lewd comments towards victim’s wife before fatal shooting at party, police say

Prosecutors charged 72-year-old Derrell R. Proudie with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.(Pagedale Police Department)
Published: Mar. 18, 2024 at 10:47 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (First Alert 4/Gray News) - The suspect in a Pagedale, Missouri, homicide is accused of making lewd advances towards the victim’s wife before the shooting, according to police.

St. Louis County prosecutors charged 72-year-old Derrell R. Proudie with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Pagedale police said they responded early Saturday morning to the 1500 block of Faris Avenue for a report of two men who had been shot.

Court documents state that Proudie made lewd advances towards the wife of the victim, identified as Frederick Sims, while at a birthday party.

Sims confronted Proudie about the interaction, investigators said. Proudie then allegedly shot him several times.

Sims was later pronounced dead from his gunshot wounds, according to officials.