A six-year-old girl named Ryliee Watson died in September 2025, weeks after being critically injured in a shooting in Lafayette, Louisiana. The tragic incident occurred on August 24, 2025, at Debaillon Park during a balloon release held to honor her late uncle. Ryliee, who was remembered by her mother as a 'little butterfly' who loved gymnastics, was an innocent bystander caught in the gunfire.
Following the shooting, Ryliee was rushed to a hospital in Baton Rouge where she remained in
critical condition and on life support for two weeks. Despite the efforts of medical staff, she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Her mother described the heartbreaking experience of watching her daughter on a ventilator, unable to breathe on her own.
In the wake of the shooting and Ryliee's subsequent death, the Lafayette Police Department announced that charges against four suspects would be upgraded to second-degree murder. The individuals facing these charges were identified as Daylon Andrus, Kimmy Ray Dauntain Jr., Ja'Andrea, and Rickey Chaney. Another individual, Carlos Heard, was also reportedly charged with murder in connection with the case. The community rallied around Ryliee's family, offering support during the difficult time.
