Homicide Report > Enjae Rugley, 2
Enjae Rugley, 2
Died July 9, 2010
Enjae Rugley, a 2-year-old boy, was killed Friday, July 9, in the 16000 block of Parthenia Street in Northridge after his 7-year-old brother found a loaded handgun and accidentally shot him, according to authorities.
Police from the LAPD's Devonshire Division were called to the home about 5:50 p.m. after a shooting was reported, according to a police news release.
When authorities arrived, they found Enjae with a gunshot wound to the head, the coroner's office said.
Enjae was taken by paramedics to a hospital where he eventually died from his injuries, police said.
During the investigation, police determined that Enjae's 7-year-old brother had accidentally shot him while playing with a loaded firearm.
Officers questioned questioned Enjae's parents, Darren Eugene Ellis, 36, and Ebony Aiesha Ellis, 24, on July 12 about the shooting.
Investigators learned that Enjae's brother found the .40-caliber handgun in a closet and took it to a bedroom where his siblings were playing, said LAPD Det. Floyd Walton. The children's parents were home but in another part of the residence, Walton said.
The 7-year-old accidentally shot his brother once in the left temple, Walton said. His father called 911 and tried to revive the toddler. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Walton said it appeared to be a tragic accident.
"He thought it was a play gun,'' said Walton, of the 7-year-old. ”Boys play with water guns and things like that, and I'm sure he didn't know it could do real damage."
The parents are devastated, he said. Police earlier thought that another son, age 9, had pulled the trigger; but further investigation showed that it was the 7-year-old, Walton said.
An investigation into whether charges should be brought against the parents is continuing, the detective said. It is illegal to leave a weapon unlocked when it's not in use, he said.
— Catherine Saillant and Sarah Ardalani
- Neighborhood: Northridge
- Age: 2
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Friday
- Agency: LAPD Devonshire
- Race/Ethnicity: Black
- Crime scene: Residence
16 reader comments about Enjae Rugley
such a tragedy. although this family has suffered enough i believe the parents should be punished for their careless mistake. now this seven year old child will live with this guilt forever. shame on the parents, but at the same time i feel so very sorry for them. i just dont understand, if the parents feel having a gun is necessary for survival or protection its time to change their environment, perhaps even lifestyle! i just dont even know what else to say other than i am so sorry for this family.
July 20, 2010 at 3:11 a.m.
I pray for the whole family. This is such a sad thing to hear. I know that the parents are going through hell right now, and that the child who actually pulled the trigger has no real idea what he has done. I feel that the parents don't deserve to be punished by the law, because the loss of a child is more than enough punishment. I don't know the laws regarding having a gun in the home, but I hope they don't take the parents away from the rest of their children. I ask that we all pray for this family and for all the people this tragic event has touched. God bless
July 20, 2010 at 10:31 a.m.
As horrible as the death of the 2 year old is, the true tragedy lies with the 7 year old. Can you imagine going your whole life, thinking about that moment every single day?
7 is plenty old to remember, and you can bet he will. I hope there will be some sponsored psychological help for him, for life! Very sad.
July 20, 2010 at 12:45 p.m.
WOWWW.....this is just so tragic. I feel sorry for this family but really how can they leave a loaded weapon where their kids can reach it! this is very sad ...
July 20, 2010 at 12:45 p.m.
LOCK AWAY YOUR GUNS!
Thats all i have to say.
Rest in peace young boy. I hope his brother will find his peace with it.
July 20, 2010 at 6:06 p.m.
If I had children, I would not have guns. It's that simple. I don't feel bad for these idiots.
July 23, 2010 at 10:26 a.m.
My prayers are with you. Stay strong P and Q Make sure you stay by his side. much love guys call me for anything.
July 23, 2010 at 5:46 p.m.
This is a very sad story. Parents when you guys have guns in the house with children put then up in a safe place with a lock on them where your children can not reach them. I really think this has something to do with things that children see on T.V ... I hope they get the 7 yr old help because when he gets older this is going to mess with his mind mentally ... My prayers go out to this family.
July 24, 2010 at 10:15 p.m.
What a sad story.I feel really sad for the whole family.I think that they are going through enough with this tragedy,but the truth of the matter is...this would not have happened if the gun was kept out of reach of children & locked.Therefore, because of that,The owner of the gun should have to deal with the consequences.
July 25, 2010 at 8:32 p.m.
Guns are a U.S. given right to own. It is idiocy to think you shouldn't have a gun once you have children. The gun-lock law is equally stupid. What good is a locked gun? At any rate, you do have to keep them out of the reach of your children, that's a parent's responsibility, not the community's and especially not the government's.
Aug. 3, 2010 at 1:45 p.m.
I have lost 2 cousins to this EXACT thing. They found a gun at friends' houses...and yea.
These parents should be punished. By leaving a gun around for a 7 year old to find, they basically killed their other child themselves.
This is why I ALWAYS ask my children's friends' parents if they have a gun in the house. If the answer is yes, my child is not allowed to go over there. Even if it's "locked up".
How sad. All around.
Aug. 30, 2010 at 9:46 p.m.
This could have been prevented. In civilized countires like England, Australia, France, China, Argentina, and many other with gun control laws, parents would not have been able to have a handgun, let alone allow their children to play with one.
Jan. 10, 2011 at 12:09 p.m.
Just Some thoughts, do you know what you are even saying? Referring to China as a civilized country is a joke. How about you send you send your children to work there so they can get pay one dollar a day? Then come back to the HR and let us know how civilized this country is.
Jan. 11, 2011 at 3:28 p.m.
But look at the violent crime rates for Australia, France and especially England. Their murder rates are lower than ours (so far)but their violent crime rates are alot higher.
Jan. 11, 2011 at 5:09 p.m.
rip enjae jessica misses and loves you much...
Feb. 23, 2011 at 2:49 p.m.
Not a day goes by that Jessica doesn't think about you Enjae. You were her son too no matter what people say. You changed her life. She talks to you daily. She misses you like crazy. It's sad how you were taken from her but you'll see each other again one day. This wound on her heart is still fresh and not having you isn't getting any easier for her. She loves and misses her "lil man." Keep being the angel that watches over her please.
Love Always,
A Witness of Jessica's Pain
Nov. 10, 2011 at 10:52 p.m.
Share a memory or thought about Enjae Rugley