Man sentenced for 'brutally' assaulting girlfriend, then fatally shooting her son and her dog

LAKE CHARLES, La. (TCN) -- A 48-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing his girlfriend’s son and her dog.

In a new release, the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office said Judge Lee Hoffoss sentenced Derik Rayborn on Aug. 22 to life in prison without the benefit of parole for second-degree murder, 40 years for second-degree kidnapping, 10 years for aggravated cruelty to animals, and 20 years for possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies.

According to prosecutors, Rayborn "brutally assaulted" his girlfriend in 2024, causing her to go unconscious. She reportedly tried to escape after regaining consciousness, but the defendant "pursued her, forcibly dragged her back into the residence, and continued the attack."

The district attorney’s office said the victim’s son tried to protect his mother when Rayborn fatally shot him. Rayborn also reportedly shot and killed a dog who was inside the home and barking during the attack.

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