Arrest in shooting death of jazz trumpeter Kermit Ruffins' niece
NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans police say they have arrested a man in the shooting death of a woman identified as the daughter of a New Orleans policewoman and firefighter, and who is also the niece of jazz trumpeter Kermit Ruffins.
Will Reed, 20, was arrested without incident during a routine traffic stop Saturday and booked on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of a 20-year-old woman who was shot to death Friday night as she rode in a car, Officer Juan D. Barnes Sr. said in a news release.
Police are not identifying the victim but multiple news outlets identified her as Milan Arriola, daughter of police Officer Imani Ruffins and fire Capt. Roy Arriola Jr.
Kermit Ruffins confirmed her identity Saturday to NOLA.com. He described her as "the sweetest little girl" and said she had held down jobs since junior high school, working to earn everything she had.
He said the family is trying to understand why the high-school graduate was killed.
"I'm quite sure it will all come out," he said. "Families go through this every freakin' day in New Orleans, and now it hit home."
Police said the young woman was fatally shot around 8 p.m. Friday as she rode in a Chevrolet Camaro's front passenger seat in Gentilly. She later died at a hospital.
That side of the car was hit by several bullets, police said.
The shooting remains under investigation.