A North Carolina home that was the scene of a horrific accidental child shooting a year ago has now become the site of a double murder. An elderly couple were found dead in their Greenville residence on New Year's Eve, with their grandson arrested in connection with the killings.
A Grisly Discovery on New Year's Eve
Deputies from the Pitt County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of injured persons at a house in Greenville at approximately 9.30am on 31 December. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of Rayfield Ruffin, 73, and his wife Frances Ruffin, 67. According to Sheriff Paula Dance, the couple had suffered from both blunt force trauma and knife wounds.
The authorities stated that a family member discovered the bodies upon returning from a store and alerted the police. The couple's grandson, Martinez Corvell Ruffin, 34, who resided at the property, was located walking along a nearby roadside. He was taken into custody and has been charged with two open counts of murder and two counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, Inflicting Serious Injury. No motive for the attack has been disclosed by officials.
A Home Already Scarred by Tragedy
This devastating incident marks the second tragedy to strike the same household in just over a year. In October 2024, the couple's five-year-old great-grandson, Karter River Rosenboro, was fatally shot in the head inside the home by his six-year-old sibling in what was described as a horrific accident.
Following that incident, Rayfield Ruffin, who owned the home, was charged with failing to store a firearm properly to protect a minor. He was later released on a $2,000 unsecured bond. Online court records did not show further information regarding the outcome of that case.
A Family's Unimaginable Grief
The family has been plunged into profound sorrow for the second time. A GoFundMe campaign was started after Karter's death to raise money for his memorial, remembering the boy for his 'bright smile' and describing how he was 'loved by so many'. The fundraiser has gathered more than $7,500 towards its $10,000 goal.
Karter's mother, Niasia Knight, expressed her anguish on social media, writing 'I'm hurt, broken, angry, and confused'. The family's grief is compounded by the loss of another child; Karter's sister, A’Raeya Sunshine Boyd, passed away in March 2023.
In a poignant reflection of the family's faith amidst turmoil, Frances Ruffin had previously posted on Facebook about their home, stating, 'The anointing was here, the power of the blood was here.' The latest violence has left the community and the family reeling, as investigations into both tragic events continue.
