Danny Just Wanted A PlayStation. He Ended Up Bound, Shot, Killed

Danny Diaz-Delgado just wanted a PlayStation for his brother. He died in the process of trying to get one and was found face-down alongside a New Jersey creek, his hands bound behind his back with duct tape and a black electrical cord.

The suspect even appeared to brag about the murder on Facebook, where he posted a picture of the money he stole using Diaz-Delgado's ATM card.

Rufus Thompson, 29, was arrested this past weekend at a friend's house in Trenton by members of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service. He is charged with murder, felony, murder, robbery, kidnapping and weapons offenses, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

Diaz-Delgado, a Trenton native, was described in his obituary as someone who "enjoyed spending time with his loving family." He was reportedly a generous man with interests in sports, camping, martial arts and track and field who enjoyed "the views of the ocean while protecting lives as a lifeguard."

A Royal Ranger, Diaz Delgado was also involved with youth programs at the local Assemblies of God Church in Trenton and was a member of the campus ministry, InterVarsity, according to Inglesby and Sons Funeral Home.

Thompson was arrested Saturday, seven days after Diaz-Delgado was found on the embankment of a creek at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Assunpink Boulevard in Hamilton Township in Mercer County, according to an affidavit from the MCPO.

In addition to binding Diaz-Delgado's hands, the killer put pink duct tape around his neck and mouth. Diaz-Delgado also had multiple holes in his black jacket that exposed his bullet wounds, according to the MCPO. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, head and leg, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives later spoke with Diaz-Delgado's family, who told him that Diaz-Delgado was going to meet someone on March 23 to purchase a PlayStation 4 game system, as well as some games, for his younger brother. He was supposed to return in an hour.

Then he disappeared.

Detectives learned that Diaz-Delgado had communicated with people through Facebook messenger about the PlayStation items, and he apparently communicated with an unknown seller. Police eventually found pictures of the suspect and a name, according to the MCPO.

Police searched for "Rufus Thompson" and found out where he lived. They also discovered that three withdrawals were made from Diaz-Delgado's bank account in the following amounts: $240, $500 and $200.

Digital images showed that the last two withdrawals were made by a man wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt or jacket. The man was determined to be Thompson, according to the MCPO. Detectives also found photos on Thompson's Facebook account of what appeared to be $240 in cash, mostly in 20s.

Rufus Thompson

Friends and relatives were invited to attend his visitation on Saturday at the Iglesia Pentecostal Asemblea de Dios, located at 65 South Clinton Ave., Trenton. Visitation was followed by a funeral ceremony. Danny was laid to rest at Colonial Memorial Park Cemetery following the ceremony.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Gary Wasko or Detective Michael Castaldo at (609) 989-6406 Tips can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

People also paid tribute to Danny on social media:

Here is a PIX11 account of the murder:

Photo courtesy of Inglesby and Sons Funeral Home