Arrest Made in Transgender Woman's Death

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies have made an arrest in the shooting death of India Clarke.

Clarke’s body was discovered by an employee at the 14013 N. 22nd St. University Area Community Center on July 21. Clarke, 24, was shot in the head and also had a gunshot wound to the upper arm, an email to media from the sheriff’s office stated.

The discovery of Clarke’s body outside the center, kicked off an “around-the-clock” investigation to bring a suspect into custody, the sheriff’s office’s email stated. That investigation came to close Tuesday night when Keith Lamayne Gaillard, 18, turned himself into detectives. Gaillard was linked to the crime through several witnesses, fingerprints and DNA, the email noted. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

According to an arrest report, Gaillard had a personal relationship with Clarke. The report notes that Gaillard told several witnesses he was responsible for the shooting and that a photo of Gaillard with a .22 caliber revolver was found on his Facebook page. The gun used in Clarke’s slaying was a .22.

Gaillard has been charged with first-degree murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a violent career criminal. He was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail without bond.

Clarke was identified as Samuel E. Clarke by the sheriff’s office. Family and friends say, Clarke was a transgender woman who used the name India.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office