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Boyfriend charged in fatal shooting of woman at NW Houston apartment

Howard Devon Ruffin, 39, was arrested and charged with murder after allegedly shooting his girlfriend at a northwest Houston apartment complex. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – Police say a 39-year-old man turned himself in after allegedly shooting his girlfriend to death at a northwest Houston apartment complex.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Howard Devon Ruffin, was taken into custody just hours after the incident and has been charged with murder, according to the Houston Police Department.

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The shooting happened around 8:05 a.m. at the Willow Green apartment complex, located at the 8301 block of Willow Place Drive North near Hwy 249 and Tomball Parkway. Officers arrived at the scene after two small children in the apartment alerted neighbors to the shooting.

Houston Fire Department paramedics found an unresponsive woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of the victim, a 32-year-old woman, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

According to HPD Homicide Division Detectives W. Huff and J. Nguyen, further investigation, evidence from the scene, and witness statements indicated that the suspect, Ruffin, was the victim’s boyfriend.

Later in the day, Ruffin contacted HPD’s North Belt Patrol Division Tactical Unit officers, expressing his desire to turn himself in. He provided a statement to detectives, leading to his arrest and subsequent booking into the Harris County Jail.

No additional details regarding the motive or circumstances surrounding the shooting have been released at this time.


About the Authors
Michael Horton headshot

Michael is a Kingwood native who loves visiting local restaurants and overreacting to Houston sports. He joined the KPRC 2 family in the spring of 2024. He earned his B.A. from Texas A&M University in 2022 and his M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023.

Holly Galvan Posey headshot

Holly joined the KPRC 2 digital team in March 2024, leveraging her eight years of expertise in blogging and digital content to share her passion for Houston. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the city's vibrant scenes, all while balancing her roles as a wife and mother to two toddlers.

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