Police Arrest Man, 20, In Shooting Of Kermit Ruffins’ Niece

New Orleans police say they have arrested a man in the death of a woman identified as the daughter of a New Orleans policewoman and firefighter, and a niece of jazz trumpeter Kermit Ruffins.

Will Reed, 20, was arrested without incident during a routine traffic stop Saturday and booked with second-degree murder of the 20-year-old woman, Officer Juan D. Barnes Sr. said in a news release.

Police are not identifying her but multiple news outlets reported that she was Milan Arriola, daughter of police Officer Imani Ruffins and fire Capt. Roy Arriola Jr.

Kermit Ruffins confirmed her identity Saturday to NOLA.com/ The Times-Picayune. He described her as “the sweetest little girl” and said she had held down jobs since junior high school, working to earn everything she had.

He said the family is trying to understand why the high-school graduate was killed.

“I’m quite sure it will all come out,” he said. “Families go through this every freakin’ day in New Orleans, and now it hit home.”

Photo: John Davisson

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fairgrounds Racecourse, New Orleans, La.

Police said the young woman was fatally shot Friday night as she rode in a Chevrolet Camaro’s front passenger seat in Gentilly, and died at a hospital.

That side of the car was hit by several bullets, police said.