Inset: Landrick Ruffin (Baton Rouge Police Department). Background: The street where Ruffin allegedly fired at a car full of people in Baton Rouge, La. (Google Maps).
In a disturbing turn of events, a man from Louisiana has been jailed for allegedly shooting a toddler during a chaotic confrontation involving a stolen vehicle. The incident unfolded as the child’s mother pursued the suspected thief, believing he was driving her stolen car, according to local law enforcement.
Landrick Ruffin, aged 27, now faces serious charges, including six counts of attempted first-degree murder and one charge of illegal weapon use, as detailed by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.
This troubling episode took place on New Year’s Eve in Baton Rouge, as reported by the Baton Rouge Police Department. The sequence of events began around 3 p.m. when the mother, driving to a McDonald’s on Harding Boulevard, spotted what she thought to be her stolen vehicle. Acting on her suspicion, she decided to follow the car.
The pursuit continued over several blocks, tracing a path near 79th Avenue and Pembroke Street. The situation escalated dramatically when shots were fired. Ruffin is accused of opening fire on the mother’s vehicle, tragically resulting in her 2-year-old daughter being wounded in the head.
The tailing effort continued for a couple blocks – with the two vehicles almost completing a circuit near 79th Avenue and Pembroke Street.
But eventually the calculus changed and shots rang out, police said. Ruffin allegedly opened fire on the woman’s vehicle. In the hail of bullets, the woman’s 2-year-old daughter was struck in the head.
A spokesperson for the police department elaborated on the order of events in comments to Baton Rouge-based CBS affiliate WAFB.
“The vehicle pulled off,” Sergeant. L’Jean McKneely said. “She followed the vehicle. As she was following the vehicle, the driver then got out, fired multiple shots back at her vehicle, striking the vehicle multiple times. And one of those bullets struck the 2-year-old.”
The mother herself then drove to a nearby police station, and her child was rushed to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.
“EMS was called,” McKneely added. “The baby was transported to the hospital – now in grave critical condition.”
The little girl remains in critical condition as of this writing.
As it turned out, the woman was correct about the vehicle being stolen, law enforcement told the TV station. The defendant was reportedly driving the woman’s car on the day in question.
The vehicle Ruffin allegedly fired at and struck was a Chevrolet SUV – police said there were six people inside at the time.
Law enforcement says some charges against Ruffin would be upgraded to murder in the event the child succumbs to her injuries.
The defendant is currently detained in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. He is slated to attend a bond hearing on Jan. 6.
Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards said the incident was “completely unacceptable” in a statement provided to local ABC affiliate WBRZ.
“As a community, we have a duty to protect all citizens, but especially our children,” the mayor went on. “This child needs our prayers tonight. Wherever you are or whatever you are doing, I ask that you take a moment to pray for this child’s survival and for her family as they deal with this tragedy.”
