Aiexpress – A convicted felon and murder suspect escaped police custody in Louisiana after pepper spraying and then hijacking the deputy’s cruiser that was bringing him back to jail after his hospital visit.
Jefferson Parish officials announced the breakout Sunday night, naming the inmate Leon Ruffin.
According to jail records, he was detained on July 24 in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, which is part of the Greater New Orleans Area, on allegations of second-degree murder, assault with a firearm, obstruction of justice, felon in possession of an illegal weapon, and other offenses.
“I really don’t think he has anything to lose,” Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto told reporters during a press conference on Sunday night. “He’s charged with second-degree murder and faces life in jail… So I definitely consider him armed and dangerous.
According to Lopinto, Ruffin was taken to the Ochsner Medical Center—West Bank Campus around midday after suffering what looked to be a seizure while in the correctional center’s medical unit. Ruffin was released from the hospital at about 6:30 p.m. following treatment.
While being taken through the parking lot around the back of the hospital, he caused “some kind of disturbance” that forced the deputy driving to stop and exit the vehicle, according to Lopinto.
Ruffin is then accused of pepper spraying a female deputy and then taking her cruiser. According to Lopinto, the deputy fired three shots from her service revolver at the fleeing vehicle, although it was unclear whether the suspect was injured.
Police were also confused about where he got the pepper spray because the transporting deputy was still carrying it along with her baton and weapon.
“As I said, I don’t believe he has a firearm,” Lopinto said. “But he’s certainly armed with pepper spray.”
Lopinto also stated that they suspect he faked some of his injuries.
Ruffin was in custody on charges of killing and shooting Gannon Johnson in front of his Avondale house in July. Lopinto stated that the victim’s family was informed of the escape.
“Hopefully we can get this guy in custody as quickly as we can,” the officer stated.
