Cops seek suspected shooter in baby's death

A South Philadelphia man who was paroled less than a month ago on a felony gun charge is now wanted for killing a 3-year-old girl Friday in Grays Ferry during an argument, police said this afternoon.

Homicide Capt. James Clark said at a news conference police have issued an arrest warrant for Brandon Ruffin, 22, of Wharton Street near 23rd, on a murder charge for the death of Tynirah Borum.

"There is some indication that he's still in the South Philadelphia area, but wherever he is, we will find him and we will bring him into justice," Clark said.

Three others were shot as a result of the argument: two men, ages 21 and 24, and a woman, 28. The 24-year-old man was shot once in the head and is in critical condition, Clark said. He said the two other victims are in "stable condition." They are all at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and their names have not been released.

Police previously arrested Douglas Woods, 22, of Ellsworth Street near 17th in Point Breeze, and have charged him with murder and related offenses in the case. It was not immediately clear last night whether he had a lawyer.

Ruffin and Woods are "very well-known" to police, Clark said, as they have several prior arrests and have been charged with violent crimes in the past. He declined to go into detail.

Court records show Ruffin pleaded guilty Oct. 15 for having an unlicensed gun — which was concealed and had been reported stolen — and was sentenced to 11 ½ to 23 months in jail and five years' probation. He was paroled on July 5. Before he got out in June 2013, Woods also pleaded guilty Dec. 28, 2011 to the same charge and got nine to 23 months in jail with probation as well.

Here's what Clark said happened last Friday:

The 3-year-old girl was getting her hair done on the porch of a home on Etting Street near Dickinson when Ruffin and Woods pedaled up on a bicycle. She was visiting from around the corner and "just happened to be on the street."

The two men had a "back-and-forth beef" with a 24-year-old who was also sitting on the porch, though police do not know what it's about. They had a brief conversation and then Ruffin pulled out a gun and fired several times about 9:40 p.m.

The girl was shot once in the chest and was pronounced dead less than an hour later at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The 21-year-old man was hit in the leg, and the 28-year-old woman was shot in the arm.

The men then left the bicycle and ran away. Ruffin is "considered armed and extremely dangerous."

Tipsters, call homicide detectives at: (215) 686-3334 or 3335.