Article published April 27, 2009
Man convicted of fatally shooting 16-year-old acquaintance
By ERICA BLAKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER
There was no argument or dispute between James Leroux and Luis Ruiz on the night the two were hanging out playing video games, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor said yesterday.
But Leroux’s reckless handling of a gun resulted in one bullet hitting his 16-year-old acquaintance in the chest, killing him.
Leroux, 24, of 560 Walsh St., pleaded no contest in Lucas County Common Pleas Court Monday to reckless homicide and to having a weapon under disability. As part of the plea agreement, the gun specification attached to the homicide charge was lowered from a mandatory three years in prison to one year.
He faces up to 11 years in prison when sentenced May 18 by Judge Linda Jennings.
The incident occurred in an upstairs room at 2132 South Ave., near Airport Highway, just after midnight on Dec. 14. Assistant County Prosecutor Andy Lastra said that the two were among a group of friends who were hanging out, playing video games.
Leroux and the teenager were sitting opposite each other, Mr. Lastra said. In Leroux’s hands was a gun.
"The defendant was handling a handgun and at some point, the defendant took the handgun and pointed it at the victim’s chest," Mr. Lastra said. "Mr. Leroux pulled the trigger and fired."
Attorney Jerry Phillips said that the incident was a tragedy for both families. He said that Leroux believed the gun was empty because the magazine had been taken out. However, one bullet remained.
"This was just friends sitting around talking and it resulted in the death of somebody. It’s a tragedy," he said.
Family members of the Ruiz youth declined to comment.
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