Horace Man Gets 20 Years in Girlfriend’s Death

Horace (trfnews.i234.me) — Derrick Lobbo was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for his girlfriend’s shooting death.

Lobbo, 21, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and child neglect.

The case involved the November 2025 death of 23-year-old Sakeena Khaadi in Horace.

Cass County District Court imposed the sentence after hearing from Khaadi’s family and attorneys.

Valley News Live reported that the sentence requires the first 17 years to be served.

Lobbo also received credit for 324 days already spent in custody.

He will face three years of probation after his release.

The court also ordered Lobbo to have no contact with Khaadi’s family during that period. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”0″}

Family Members Address Court

Fourteen victim impact statements were presented during Thursday’s sentencing hearing.

Nine asked the court to impose the maximum sentence, according to Valley News Live.

Prosecutors also showed videos taken from Lobbo’s phone in November 2025.

The videos showed Lobbo handling firearms, including the gun later linked to Khaadi’s death.

Prosecutors argued that Lobbo knew the firearm was loaded.

The state requested a 20-year sentence with 18 years to be served.

Lobbo’s defense asked for a much shorter sentence.

His father submitted a statement asking the court for mercy.

Lobbo also apologized to Khaadi’s family before he was sentenced.

The judge said there was no proof that Lobbo intentionally shot Khaadi.

However, the court found the state’s account of Lobbo’s firearm handling credible.

The judge also cited what he described as reckless behavior involving firearms.

He noted that Lobbo accepted responsibility by pleading guilty and avoided a trial.

Khaadi was found with a gunshot wound in an apartment hallway on November 6, 2025.

Authorities responded after Lobbo called 911 and reported that his girlfriend was hurt.

Investigators found a 9mm handgun inside the apartment.

Court records said Lobbo’s 2-year-old child remained inside after the shooting.

The child was unharmed but reportedly had access to the firearm.

Lobbo originally faced four charges.

He pleaded guilty in June to manslaughter and child neglect.

Aggravated assault and reckless endangerment charges were dismissed under the plea agreement. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”1″}

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.