More than 13 years after a deadly shooting in Miami Gardens, Ramone Clayton is finally in custody. Miami-Dade correctional deputies booked the 41-year-old fugitive late Wednesday night at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, ending a manhunt that stretched across more than a decade and two coasts.
According to investigators, the shooting happened on Sept. 23, 2012, after a birthday party. Witnesses told detectives they saw a couple arguing outside when the man — later identified as Clayton — pushed his wife, Stephanie Clayton, and shot her in the head. She died at the hospital. Stephanie was 35.
Prosecutors filed charges on Sept. 25, 2012, and a judge quickly issued a warrant. Clayton fled and managed to avoid arrest for over 13 years.
That changed on Oct. 24, when San Diego County Sheriff’s Office detectives received a tip that Clayton, originally from Jamaica, was living in the area. Deputies arrested him three days later.
Clayton was extradited to Florida and taken into custody at Miami International Airport at 10 p.m. Wednesday. Records show he was officially booked just before midnight.
He appeared in court Thursday afternoon before Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer. Clayton faces two charges:
-
Second-degree murder with a deadly weapon
-
Display of a firearm while committing a felony (a second-degree felony)
Judge Glazer denied bond on the murder charge and set bond at $7,500 for the weapons offense. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Richard Hersch will oversee the case going forward.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Leave a Reply