Columbia, South Carolina
April 08, 2020
Agencies: Columbia Police Department - South Carolina | South Carolina Law Enforcement Division SLED
Cause of death: Shooting
Last updated: almost 4 years ago
Joshua Dariandre Ruffin, 17, was shot and killed by police Wednesday evening in north Columbia.
Ruffin died from complications from a gunshot wound, according to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said officers were patrolling an area off Monticello Road and Columbia College Drive shortly before 6:00 p.m. Wednesday after receiving reports of car break-ins.
While patrolling the area, a police say an officer stopped to speak with Ruffin, who was walking along Monticello Road. As the officer got out of the patrol vehicle, police say Ruffin ran from the scene to 4800 Monticello Road.
During the foot chase, police say Ruffin produced a gun, and the officer fired his department-issued gun, striking the Ruffin once in the front part of the upper body. Ruffin was transported to Prisma Health Richland Hospital by EMS where he was later pronounced dead.
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