Orlando police: Accused police killer Markeith Loyd captured
MELBOURNE, Fla. — Markeith Loyd, a fugitive who eluded police for nine days after authorities said he shot killed an Orlando police officer in a Walmart parking lot, was captured late Tuesday. The arrest brings to a close one of the largest manhunts in recent memory for central Florida.
"We are extremely grateful," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said during a televised press conference.
"There's some great police work that got this cop killer off the street," he said crediting what he called "great police work."
Loyd, seen on a televised video with what appeared to be a swollen eye, was led into the Orlando police department headquarters Tuesday night.
"They beat me up," Loyd was heard saying three times during the perp walk. He was already wanted on murder charges in connection with the Dec. 13 shooting death of his 24-year-old pregnant girlfriend, Sade Dixon.
He faces multiple charges, including two counts of first degree murder in connection with the deaths of his girlfriend and her unborn child. Other charges are pending in the police shooting.
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Orlando Police Chief John Mina tweeted, "Captured and wearing Lt. Debra Clayton's handcuffs." Clayton was promoted posthumously to the rank of lieutenant.
The high-profile capture came the same day the 41-year-old was added to the U.S. Marshal's office most-wanted list and when authorities bolstered a reward to $125,000.
Police, including state and federal agents, had closed in on an abandoned home — not far from the home of Clayton's mother's house — about 7 p.m. ET Tuesday in the Carver Shores neighborhood where Loyd was staying. At one point Loyd tried to flee the residence by leaving through a sliding glass door. He was confronted by officers and quickly ran inside. He later came out of the home wearing body armor and tossing down two guns, including a Glock handgun fitted with a hundred-round drum, Mina said.
"Honestly, I thought this might end up in a different situation," the chief said, adding that Loyd did have what he described as minor facial injuries as he resisted officers
Mina said officers tracked Loyd to the residence and did not receive any tips leading to the arrest.
It also comes after a weekend of highly charged emotions stemming from the funeral services held for Clayton — whose Jan. 9 shooting death was at the center of renewed efforts to find Loyd — and Orange County sheriff's deputy Norman Lewis.
Lewis was killed in a traffic collision during a search for Loyd in the hours following the deadly shooting. The funerals drew several hundred law enforcement agents from around the state and nation.
Authorities tweeted news of Loyd's capture following numerous tips across Florida, including Titusville, where an alert was issued briefly over the weekend after an unconfirmed sighting. It was not Loyd, however.
Police said Loyd shot Clayton during a confrontation at a Walmart parking lot. Clayton was tipped off the same morning that the wanted fugitive was at the retail store. Police said Loyd ran, then fired a shot at the officer. Clayton returned fire but didn't hit the suspect and was fatally wounded.
Mina later said Loyd, wearing a bulletproof vest and a shirt that read 'Security,' fled the scene, shooting at another law enforcement agent. SWAT team crews roamed Orange County, searching for potential hiding spots.
The police department had already been actively searching for Loyd since mid-December when he was named as a suspect in the shooting death of his girlfriend.
The search for Loyd in the aftermath of the officers' death garnered national attention in addition to bringing federal, state and local authorities together for the manhunt.
Clayton, 42, was a "committed" officer and "a hero" who gave her life to the community she loves, her chief said. She was married and had a college-age son. She also grew up in the Orlando area, and enjoyed mentoring young people.
"She was always the first to step up and help kids," the chief said.
A 17-year veteran of the force, Clayton supervised a patrol division in the neighborhood where she was shot, and previously worked in investigations and as a school resource officer, Deputy Chief Orlando Rolon said.
Loyd could go before a judge Wednesday for a hearing on any charges.
Contributing: The Associated Press