A six-year-old south Louisiana girl shot during a balloon release has died. Lafayette Police Sergeant Robin Green says the shooting took place on August 24. Green says the shooting was in response to a previous shooting.
“So, as a result during the balloon releasing, a shooting took place between those four individuals that we arrested,” Green said.
The four individuals arrested are Rickey Chaney, Daylon Andrus, Ja Andrea Kentrell Willis and Kimmy Ray Dauntain Jr. The charges against the four men have been upgraded to second degree murder. Green says two of the suspects were arrested in Texas, one in Lake Charles and the fourth in Lafayette.
“It’s really good when we can bring a closure to a case that quick and proceed with trying to get justice for Riley,” Green said.
Riley Francis had been in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital since the shooting. Green says a verbal argument between two men at the balloon release at Debaillon Park led to gunfire.
“It escalated and then between all four of the individuals, two more of the individuals got involved. And that’s when the shooting occurred. They were shooting at each other,” Green explained.
A GoFundMe account has been set up on behalf of the family.
