Highlights

• Six-year-old victim succumbs to her injuries in the Debaillon Park shooting.
• Total of four suspects now in custody: Daylon Andrus, Kimmy Ray Dauntain Jr., Ja’Andrea Kentrell Willis, and Rickey Chaney.
• Shooting occurred during a memorial service for gun violence victim Phillip Francis Jr. at Debaillon Park
• Suspects' charges have been upgraded to Second Degree Murder in response to the child's death.

6-Year-Old Victim in Lafayette Park Shooting Dies, Charges Upgraded for Suspects

The four suspects arrested in the Debaillon Park shooting will now be charged with Second Degree Murder, following the tragic death of the 6-year-old victim who was shot during the violence.

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) — The six-year-old victim who was shot during a community vigil has died, Lafayette Police have confirmed.

The four suspects in the case—Daylon Andrus, Kimmy Ray Dauntain Jr., Ja’Andrea, and Rickey Chaney—will now have their charges upgraded to Second Degree Murder, according to Lafayette Police Sgt. Robin Green.

The August 24 shooting occurred during a community vigil for Phillip Francis, Jr., who was killed in an earlier shooting at the WoodSpring Suites hotel in Lafayette.

READ MORE: Fourth Arrest Reported in Lafayette Park Shooting 6-Year-Old

You can see our earlier reporting and the timeline of events below.

ORIGINAL STORY

A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the August 24 shooting at Debaillon Park that left a 6-year-old child in critical condition during a community vigil against gun violence.

On Thursday, September 4, 2025, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Task Force, authorities apprehended Rickey Chaney, a 19-year-old Black male from Lafayette, Louisiana, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was arrested on a warrant for attempted second-degree murder.

Chaney was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and is awaiting extradition to Lafayette.

What Lafayette Families Need to Know

The shooting represents the fourth arrest in a case that shocked the Acadiana community when gunfire erupted during a peaceful memorial service. The 6-year-old victim was critically injured when gunfire erupted during a memorial service for Phillip Francis Jr., 44, who was fatally shot Friday at the WoodSpring Suites hotel.

READ MORE: Juvenile in Critical Condition After Lafayette Shooting

Lafayette Police Det. Ken Handy confirmed that investigators do not believe there is any connection between the hotel shooting and the shooting at Debaillon Park. The vigil was organized by friends and family to remember Francis, with the tragic irony that a memorial against gun violence became the scene of another shooting.

Investigation Timeline and Previous Arrests

The investigation has moved rapidly since the initial incident on Sunday evening, August 24, at approximately 7:25 p.m. in the 500 block of Saucier Parkway.

August 27: Daylon Andrus became the first suspect arrested and was booked into Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on one count of attempted second-degree murder.

August 28: Kimmy Ray Dauntain Jr. was arrested Thursday afternoon and has been charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder. LPD previously arrested Daylon Andrus on Wednesday evening. LPD reports that at around 4:40 p.m., officers located a vehicle matching the description of a suspect wanted for the shooting.

September 4: Rickey Chaney was arrested in Lake Charles by U.S. Marshals, becoming the fourth person charged with attempted second-degree murder in the case.

Victim's Critical Condition Continues

According to the Lafayette Police Department's most recent update, the victim in this case remains in critical condition. Previous reports indicated that Ryliee Watson, 6, remains in critical care at a Baton Rouge hospital, although the Lafayette Police Department reported her status has been upgraded to stable. However, more recent police statements indicate her condition has returned to critical.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for the little girl's medical costs. The community has rallied around the family during this difficult time, with local organizations and residents providing support.

What Happens Next for Lafayette Community

With four suspects now in custody, the Lafayette Police Department continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence in the community, particularly given that the shooting occurred during a vigil meant to remember another gun violence victim.

READ MORE: Arrest Made in Deadly Shooting at Lafayette Hotel

Lafayette Police encourage anyone with additional information regarding this incident to contact the Lafayette Police Department or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 232-TIPS. The department has committed to providing updates through press releases as the investigation develops.

This is a developing story, and the KPEL News Team is working to provide additional coverage for Acadiana. Updates will be shared as they become available, so download the KPEL News app via Google Play or in the App Store and subscribe to breaking news alerts to get the latest information sent directly to your mobile device.

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