A Lafayette man has been sentenced to 60 years hard labor for attempted murder and kidnapping related to a Bayou Vista incident in November 2021.

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- A Lafayette man has been sentenced to 60 years hard labor for attempted murder and kidnapping related to a Bayou Vista incident in November 2021.

In a hearing on Monday at the 16th Judicial District court, Derrick Lee Williams, Jr., of Lafayette, was sentenced to 60 years hard labor on the combined convicted charges of attempted second degree murder and second degree kidnapping.

On Nov. 21, 2021, Williams was involved in a shooting incident in Bayou Vista where authorities determined Williams had shot the victim, his ex-girlfriend, in the head and taken the victim's 18-month-old daughter from the residence.

An investigation into the incident later revealed Williams and the victim had been in multiple incidents of domestic violence and the victim had full custody of their child. Furthermore, the victim had just told Williams she was in a new relationship. Officials said upon hearing this, Williams armed himself with a rifle and had another girlfriend drive him to Bayou Vista. He entered the victim's apartment and made he call her new boyfriend and tell him she no longer wanted to see him. Williams then forced the victim to her knees, shot her in the head "execution style" and left with their child.

Williams was subsequently charged with attempted second degree murder and second degree kidnapping. He later pled guilty to these charges on Nov. 9, 2023.

The victim has since made a full recovery and was reunited with her child. She also testified at William's sentencing on Feb. 5.

Please seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.
Contact your local law enforcement agency or family violence crisis center.

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