51-year-old Leon Ruffin, who’s been in custody for second-degree murder in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, escaped from the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday and drove off in a deputy’s marked car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto said Ruffin was being treated for a seizure and other injuries they believe he was now faking.
“He created some type of disturbance when my deputy got out of the car. When she opened up the door, whether it was to re-buckle him or whatever occurred, he pepper sprayed her. We do not know where he got the pepper spray from. My deputy still has her pepper spray on her,” said Lopinto.
The stolen unit was later found abandoned in Algiers.
Ruffin was being transported back to the correctional center from the hospital when he escaped. Lopinto said Ruffin pepper-sprayed the deputy to gain control of the car.
“Charged at her and ended up taking the vehicle itself. My deputy got three rounds off in the parking lot, but we don’t know if he has been hit at this point and time,” said Lopinto.
Lopinto said State Police, NOPD, and the FBI are assisting in the search. He considers Ruffin, armed and dangerous…
“I really don’t believe he has anything to lose. He’s in for second-degree murder for life in prison at this point and time. So, I definitely consider him armed and dangerous, but I don’t believe he has a firearm. My deputy had her firearm still on them at this point, but he certainly armed with a pepper spray that he still has in his custody,” said Lopinto.
Ruffin has been in custody since July 2023 for second-degree murder, aggravated assault, a convicted felon with a firearm, and obstruction of justice.
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