On the evening of September 27, 2019, Darrle Ruffin, a 54-year-old Black/African American man, was fatally shot in Racine, Wisconsin. Known affectionately as D.R., he was a handyman by trade, skilled in lawn care, construction, and various home repairs. He was born in Cook County, Illinois, on December 18, 1964, but had spent much of his life in Racine, where he was a cherished member of the community.
That Friday evening, around 8:20 p.m., in the 900 block of Walnut Street, Ruffin was
shot in the leg. Surveillance footage from a neighbor's camera captured a person running through a yard toward a home just seconds before police arrived. Family members reported that they had been spending time together at a house when Ruffin went outside. He tragically collapsed on the front steps of his sister's home after being shot. Emergency services were called, and he was rushed to Ascension Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
The Racine Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting. In the immediate aftermath, a person of interest was taken into custody. However, no charges were filed against this individual, and they were subsequently released. The motive for the shooting has not been made clear to the public. The police have appealed to the community for any information that might lead to the perpetrator.
Darrle Ruffin's death left his family and friends devastated. He was remembered as a loving and happy person who enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a father to two daughters and a grandfather to six grandchildren. His family, including his niece, has publicly expressed their grief and their deep desire for justice. Despite the ongoing investigation and the family's pleas, no arrests have been made in connection with his murder, and the case remains unsolved. The community continues to mourn the loss of a man described as a hard-working and beautiful person.
