Pitt County Grandson Martinez Ruffin Charged in Grandparents’ Deaths
PITT COUNTY, NC — Law enforcement swarmed a home on Deborah Court Wednesday morning after a longtime Pitt County couple was brutally killed inside their own home — allegedly at the hands of their own grandson.
Authorities say 72-year-old Rayfield Ruffin and his wife, Francis Ruffin, 67, were found dead after suffering blunt force trauma and stab wounds.
Their 34-year-old grandson, Martinez Ruffin, has been charged in connection with their deaths.
According to Pitt County Sheriff Paula Dance, Martinez Ruffin had been living in the home with his grandparents at the time of the killings. Investigators say a family member made the chilling discovery after returning home from a store and immediately called 911.
When deputies arrived, they located Martinez Ruffin in the area of the residence.
Sheriff Dance also confirmed this was not the first time deputies had dealt with the suspect. Adding another painful layer to an already devastating story — this same address was the scene of a tragedy just over a year ago.
Sheriff Dance confirmed that the Ruffins’ five-year-old great-grandson was accidentally shot and killed inside the home by his six-year-old sibling.
Martinez Ruffin is now facing two counts of open murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. He is currently being held at the Pitt County Detention Center without bond.
Investigators continue piecing together what led up to this violent outburst, leaving Rayfield and his wife Francis, dead.
