Milan Ruffins is the daughter of a beloved New Orleans family. Her mother is Officer Imani Ruffins with the New Orleans Police Department and her father is Capt. Roy Arriola Jr. with the New Orleans Fire Department. Her uncle, Kermit Ruffins, is one of the city's most well-known trumpet players.
Tragically, the city is now mourning the loss of young Milan's life.
Barely out of high school, Milan was 20 years old when she was shot, senselessly, while riding in the passenger seat of a friend's Chevrolet Camaro.
Investigators have obtained a suspect, 20-year-old Will Reed. However, Fox8 reported that the bullets shot at the car were not intended for her.
"I'm sure she wasn't the intended victim, but it's still second-degree murder because he was intending to kill somebody when she got in the way. That happens a lot in New Orleans,” said FOX 8 Legal Analyst Joe Raspanti.
Another young child's life lost, without cause. It's devastating.
Milan's mother, Imani, has some choice words for the man who killed her daughter — but they're not what you'd expect.
I can't help but recall Jordan Byelich, a man who hugged and forgave the woman who killed his wife. Sometimes forgiveness is the only way to heal.
See a mother's plea to her daughter's killer below.
SHARE if you agree with all that she has said and if your thoughts are with this wonderful family.
Milan Ruffins was killed on July 3, 2015. Days later, her mourning mother, Imani, wrote this powerful letter to her daughter's murderer.
Read what the letter says below.
“A letter to my daughter’s killer”
I’m sharing this today, because TODAY was a good day.
I want you to know that in spite of you changing my life forever, I don’t hate you. I feel sorry for you. Sorry that you’ve never experienced the love that Milan experienced, not only from her family and friends, but coworkers, classmates and random strangers.
An unconditional, heart pounding, take your breath away type of love. I’m certain you haven’t experienced this because you had no regard or appreciation for life.
Milan was loved by so many people, she had the brightness smile. Contagious. Like a sneeze.
From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I prayed EVERY DAY. I prayed for “a girl.” A humble, happy, healthy girl, in that order. I prayed that she had her dad's soft spoken spirit, his humbleness, his smarts. I prayed that she had my eyes, my smile, my silliness.
You see, how amazing God is? He gave me EXACTLY what I asked for. It’s kind of funny because when I was a few months pregnant I contracted chicken pox, the Dr. told me my unborn child was gonna be "retarded," blind and probably deaf and I should probably have an abortion, but I said no. No, because I knew God heard my prayers. My faith out weighed everything.
August 27, 1994 until July 3, 2015 I told Milan Domonique Arriola “I LOVE YOU” sometimes multiple times. For 20 years, EVERYDAY I talked to her whether via text, phone or face to face.
I thank God for 20 years with my first child, my only daughter, my best friend. No one, not even you, Will Reed can take that away from me and everyone who had the pleasure of sharing her life.
So TODAY I’ll pray for you, that God has mercy on your soul.
TODAY…"
SHARE if your thoughts are with the Ruffins family.
