MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – An arrest warrant obtained by Local 10 News Thursday has uncovered disturbing details in connection with the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Delilah Ruiz, who police said was killed by her boyfriend, Elijah Clarke, during a dispute over money nearly three weeks ago in northwest Miami-Dade.
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Clarke, 19, of Miami Gardens, was arrested in Houston, Texas, on Feb. 8 after authorities said they tracked him down with the help of law enforcement officers in South Florida.
They said he was apprehended along with two others, 19-year-old Rafael Torralba and 17-year-old Angelina Valledor, who are facing charges of hindering his arrest.
Police also confirmed that 18-year-old Christopher Valdes, Clarke’s getaway driver, was arrested in Broward County on Feb. 10 and faces one count of with accessory after the fact.
Police said the incident occurred after Clarke arrived at Ruiz’s home near the 18900 block of Northwest 63rd Court Circle, in Miami-Dade County’s unincorporated Country Club area.
Detectives said the altercation began when Ruiz received a notification on her cellphone that Clarke had transferred money from their shared Cash App account.
Fearing that Clarke would drain their funds, police said Ruiz transferred the remaining $37.00 to one of her friends. Shortly after, Clarke arrived at Ruiz’s home in a black 2008 Lexus IS350, and a confrontation ensued, the warrant stated.
Police said Ruiz armed herself with pepper spray and exited the home with two friends to confront Clarke.
Witnesses told investigators that as the confrontation escalated, Ruiz sprayed Clarke with the pepper spray, temporarily stopping his aggression.
However, the situation quickly turned deadly when investigators said Clarke pulled out a black handgun from a fanny pack he was wearing and racked the slide to load a round into the chamber.
In fear for their safety, Ruiz and another individual present at the scene turned to run back inside her home, the report stated.
As they attempted to flee, investigators said Clarke aimed the gun and fired two rounds at Ruiz, striking her once on the left side of her back.
A witness immediately screamed for help as Ruiz collapsed to the ground in agony, the report stated.
Despite emergency medical personnel’s efforts, police said Ruiz was pronounced dead at Memorial Regional Hospital shortly after 8:30 p.m.
Homicide investigators quickly gathered evidence from the scene, including two 9mm spent shell casings, a projectile, and surveillance video from Ruiz’s security cameras, which police said captured crucial moments of the fatal shooting.
The warrant revealed that both of Ruiz’s parents had witnessed Clarke with the gun, attempting to enter the getaway vehicle, and positively identified him during an in-person photo lineup.
Ruiz’s family and friends also disclosed that Clarke had previously been violent toward Ruiz during arguments, but these incidents had never been reported to the authorities, the warrant stated.
Police also confirmed that Clarke and Valdes’ cellphone records placed them at the scene at the time of the shooting.
According to police, witnesses said there were also previous incidents where Clarke had been seen hitting Ruiz during the course of their relationship.
After a multi-state search, Clarke was eventually tracked to Houston, where police said they found him alongside Torralba and Valledor.
The trio was taken into custody, and Clarke now faces charges of first-degree murder with a firearm, according to police.
Detectives said the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate the incident, with assistance from the Homicide Street Violent Task Force, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, and Miramar police.
Records show Clarke is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Valdes posted bond last week and is out of custody pending further legal proceedings.
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
