Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray has announced that authorities are investigating an incident in Newark, NJ this morning in which a three year old boy was killed.
According to police at approximately 7:40 am, officers from the Newark Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Team were attempting to apprehend a 22 year old city resident who was wanted on Aggravated Assault and Weapons charges stemming from an incident in May of this year.
The suspected was spotted driving a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The suspect failed to pull over with the officers following and the struck a car that was driving on 15th Avenue.
The suspect vehicle then mounted a curb and struck the three year old, who was standing on the sidewalk on the northeast corner, with his mother.
The victim, who has been identified as Rahmere Tullis of Newark, was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was immediately arrested by Newark officers after striking the child.
This incident is being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Task Force and Professional Standards Bureau, according to Acting Prosecutor Murray. The Prosecutor’s Professional Standard Bureau routinely reviews all police pursuits.
The suspect has been identified as Troy Ruff, age 22 of Newark, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit. Ruff has been charged with Aggravated Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Eluding the Police, according to Fennelly, who added that Ruff is also facing charges from the May incident.
Bail on today’s charges has been set at $500,000 by the Honorable Robert Gardner, J.S.C., according to Fennelly.
The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Task Force detectives at (877) 847-7432 or (973) 621-4586.