In a dramatic turn of events, Leon Ruffin, a 51-year-old Louisiana murder suspect, was captured Tuesday in a New Orleans hotel, marking the end of a daring escape that began with a pepper spray attack on a deputy. Ruffin had been facing a second-degree murder charge for the killing of his friend, Gannon Johnson, when he managed to elude custody in a bold maneuver that shocked law enforcement officials and the public alike.
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The saga unfolded on Sunday when Ruffin, who had been detained at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center since July, was transported to a local hospital following what was reported as a possible seizure. According to Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto, it was during his departure from the hospital that Ruffin orchestrated his escape. Creating a disturbance that lured a deputy to open his transport vehicle’s door, Ruffin seized the moment to deploy pepper spray against her and commandeered the vehicle, making his getaway.
The deputy involved was treated for pepper spray exposure and was reported to be in “good spirits” following the incident. Questions arose regarding how Ruffin obtained the pepper spray, with Sheriff Lopinto speculating that Ruffin might have feigned injuries while in the medical facility of the corrections center, a tactic that could have aided in avoiding the restraints of shackles and handcuffs during his hospital visit.
For two days, Ruffin’s whereabouts remained a mystery until he was tracked down to a hotel in New Orleans East. The capture was executed around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday by a coordinated effort involving Jefferson Parish deputies, the New Orleans Police Department, and the U.S. Marshal Service. Ruffin was found alone in his hotel room, and subsequent search warrants were executed on the premises. The specific hotel where Ruffin was found has not been disclosed.
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Sheriff Lopinto, during a news conference announcing the capture, expressed his belief that Ruffin spent the majority of his time on the run confined to the hotel room, effectively “locked up in a hotel room instead of a jail cell.” Lopinto remarked on the unlikelihood of Ruffin having enjoyed his brief period of freedom and hinted at the possibility of additional arrests related to the escape.
Ruffin now faces additional charges, including motor vehicle theft, aggravated escape, battery of an officer with intent to injure, and being a fugitive, as per online booking records. These charges add to the gravity of his situation, as he had previously pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gannon Johnson.
The case has garnered significant attention, not only for the brazen nature of Ruffin’s escape but also for the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to recapture him. As the investigation continues, authorities are determined to uncover any accomplices who may have aided Ruffin in his brief flight from justice. Meanwhile, Sheriff Lopinto’s assurance that Ruffin will now remain in custody “for a long time” brings a measure of closure to a case that has captivated and alarmed the local community.
