Murder Suspect Escapes by Pepper Spraying Deputy, Stealing Transport Vehicle
The Jefferson Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office is searching for murder suspect Leon Ruffin, Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said at a news conference Sunday night.
Leon Ruffin had been in custody since July on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm. He was convicted and was sentenced to life.
Jefferson Parish SO
A Louisiana inmate is on the run after he pepper-sprayed a deputy then escaped custody during a medical transport on Sunday, according to officials. Ruffin drove away in the deputy’s vehicle.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is searching for murder suspect Leon Ruffin, Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said at a news conference Sunday night.
Lopinto said Ruffin was transported from the Ochsner Medical Center to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center at about 6:40 p.m. following treatment for a seizure when the transport was interrupted by Ruffin creating a disturbance, prompting the escorting deputy to exit the vehicle, Fox reports.
When the deputy opened the vehicle door to address the disturbance, Lopinto said Ruffin used pepper spray on her, charged at her and stole the vehicle. The deputy responded by shooting her gun multiple times toward Ruffin, although it is unclear if any of the shots struck him.
It is also unclear where Ruffin found the pepper spray, as the deputy still had her pepper spray, Lopinto said.
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