Suspect on the Run in Stabbing of Woman, 3 Children Gives Up

Despite a court order to stay away, Nathaniel Lee Ruffin allegedly returned to an apartment near Dodger Stadium at 3 a.m. Friday, stabbed a woman and three children, and fled before surrendering hours later, Los Angeles police said.

Ruffin turned himself in Friday afternoon, accompanied by another woman who police say was his wife, said Lt. Andy Monsue of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Ruffin, 52, who faces four counts of attempted murder and other possible charges, was being held without bail, Monsue said.

The 42-year-old woman who was stabbed had a 16-year relationship and children with Ruffin, police said.

Shortly after the assault, Ruffin crashed and overturned his van on the edge of Chinatown, police said.

Later in the morning, he was sighted near Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, but escaped.

With the help of the public and Ruffin’s relatives, police were able to put pressure on the suspect, Monsue said.

“The beating of bushes is probably what drew him out,” he said.

Police used dogs and a helicopter in their search for the suspect.

Ruffin’s 13-year-old son was stabbed as he tried to protect his mother, said Sgt. John Pasquariello. Two daughters, ages 8 and 16, also tried to intervene to help their mother and were stabbed, Pasquariello said.

The mother and all three children were reported in stable condition at various hospitals.

The early morning attack on Centennial Street awoke neighbors, who recalled later that Ruffin came to the same apartment house last fall and allegedly beat up the woman.

That episode helped lead to the restraining order she obtained against him.

“She kept hollering, ‘Help! Help! Help!’ but we were across the way and couldn’t help,” said neighbor Nydia Macias.

“The cops got here very, very quick.... But it still couldn’t prevent what happened.”

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Times staff writer Hector Becerra contributed to this report.