Just before 6 p.m., officers were patrolling the neighborhoods around Monticello Road and Columbia College Drive after receiving reports of car break-ins. While patrolling, an officer saw a black boy walking in the area and stopped to speak with him. As the officer got out of his patrol car, the Joshua Ruffin fled. During the foot chase, Ruffin allegedly pulled a gun, and the officer shot and killed him.
Victim's Name: Joshua Dariandre Ruffin
Agency Responsible: Columbia Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Race: Black
Date of Death: April 8, 2020
County: Richland
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Justified by Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Threat Level: other
Fleeing: Foot
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 5733