Detroit Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Royal Oak Hookah Lounge Shooting
ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - A hefty cash bond has been set for the man police say shot up a Royal Oak smoking lounge last weekend.
Making his first court appearance Friday, 22-year-old Deangilo Ruffin of Detroit was arraigned on six counts in connection with Sunday's shooting at Hookah Joe's, on Washington Ave. near Lincoln.
He could get up to life in prison if convicted on two counts of assault with intent to murder and up to 15 years for discharging a firearm causing injury. Three counts of possessing a firearm during a felony could add two more years.
Police said it began with a verbal dispute, in the early morning hours of March 20. Police said Ruffin and another man were escorted out of the building by security at around 3:30 a.m. That's when Ruffin allegedly fired one round at a person outside, got into a car, and then fired more shots into the building striking and wounding an employee in the head.
Royal Oak Police Lt. Dave Clemens said it could've been worse.
"He exhibited a...just a blatant disregard for human life," Clemens said. "There were several patrons inside the business when the incident happened, and firing randomly or at an individual inside of a building or entering a building, we're very lucky that nobody was killed."
"The individual that was injured was very fortunate that he wasn't killed," he added.
Clemens said a second man who was arrested in connection with the shooting — identified only as "the driver"— will not be charged.
Bond for Ruffin was set at $300,000, no 10 percent.
He is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on Friday, April 1.
