Murder suspect recaptured after pepper spraying deputy and stealing squad car during escape, police say

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WVUE/Gray News) - A murder suspect escaped custody after pepper spraying a deputy and stealing her squad car, according to police.

Leon Ruffin, 51, was being transported from the Ochsner West Bank campus back to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on Sunday evening, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Ruffin “gamed the system,” by faking a seizure and several injuries that prevented him from being restrained by cuffs or shackles during transport from a hospital, according to Sheriff Joe Lopinto.

Deputies say Ruffin started complaining about being in pain when the deputy “acted like a human being” and stopped the unit to check on Ruffin, Lopinto said.

When the deputy opened the back door, Ruffin pepper sprayed her in the hospital’s parking lot. The deputy reportedly fired her service weapon three times toward Ruffin, but it is unclear if he was hit.

Ruffin then fled the scene in a marked squad car. It was later found abandoned.

Ruffin was recaptured Tuesday afternoon by Gretna police and taken to the Orleans Parish Correctional Center, according to a law enforcement source.

He is awaiting trial for the July 2023 shooting death of Gannon Johnson. He was arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime on July 20, 2023. In November, he was charged with second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Police offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

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