On October 2, 2024, 32-year-old Jackelyn "Jackie" Wilson was tragically shot and killed in her apartment at the Willow Green Apartments near FM-1960 and SH-249 in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred around 8 a.m., with her two young children, aged 4 and 7, present at the time. One of her children ran to a nearby bus stop to seek help from bystanders, who then attempted to assist Wilson but were unable to save her.
The suspect, 39-year-old Howard Devon Ruffin, who had been in a tumultuous five-year relationship with Wilson, was identified through surveillance footage showing him entering and exiting her apartment around the time of the shooting. Ruffin turned himself in to authorities later that day and was charged with murder.
Their relationship had a documented history of domestic violence. In 2022, Ruffin was charged with assaulting Wilson, but due to communication breakdowns between counties, he was released on a $7,500 bond and remained unsupervised for an extended period. Just two days before the fatal incident, Wilson had ended the relationship and removed Ruffin's belongings from her apartment.
Wilson's mother, Denise Bibbs, expressed profound grief and frustration, stating that the system had failed her daughter. She is now caring for Wilson's four children and has vowed to attend all of Ruffin's court proceedings to seek justice for her daughter.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Wilson's children, aiming to provide them with financial assistance during this difficult time.
