Woman who fired shot at romantic rival cleared of weapons charges

An Aurora woman who admitted she fired a shot at a a crowbar-wielding romantic rival has been acquitted of weapons charges in Kane County.

Rebecca Ruffin was charged with four counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm following a January 15, 2007 altercation with Latasha Bell of Bloomingdale. Both women have children by the same man.

Bell drove to Ruffin's apartment to see the man that morning. Bell testified that when he refused to come outside, she got a crowbar from her trunk and began smashing his car windows.

Ruffin said she came outside when she heard the sound of breaking glass and that Bell tried to run her down with her car.

Bell pleaded guilty to property-damage charges last week.