A female Orlando Police sergeant who was shot three times Monday morning outside a Walmart in Pine Hills, Florida, has died, the Orlando Police Department has said. During the manhunt for the suspect — who is still on the loose — an Orange County deputy sheriff was also killed in a motorcycle crash:
Markeith Loyd is the suspect who shot OPD officer this morning. Anyone w/info please call 1-800-423-TIPS @CrimelineFL pic.twitter.com/TeABsCsTh4
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) January 9, 2017
The suspect, Markeith Lloyd, was wanted in connection with the shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend last month. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous. At least 17 Orlando area schools were put on lockdown Monday as the deadly manhunt ensued:
Updated list of @OCPSnews schools that have been placed on lockdown as manhunt underway for suspect who shot, killed @OrlandoPolice officer. pic.twitter.com/ewRqv68vH5
— FOX 35 Orlando (@fox35orlando) January 9, 2017
According to WFTV9ABC, Master Sgt. Debra Clayton had been shopping at Walmart and was in the parking lot placing bags into the trunk of her vehicle when an unidentified shopper approached her. A witness said that the shopper told her that Markeith Lloyd was in one of the checkout lines inside the store.
The witness said that Master Sgt. Clayton headed back into the store to confront the suspect when Keith came out the door at the same time:
According to a witness at the scene, the 17-year veteran of the Orlando Police Department was shot numerous times Monday morning by a man wearing a security uniform.
Dozens of police vehicles descended on the area around the intersection of Pine Hills Road and North Lane, just south of Royal Oaks and Pineview apartments on a report of an officer-involved shooting.
“(The shooter) was an average looking dude, he walked by me, had a security vest and everything,” witness James Herman told Channel 9. “I was walking down the sidewalk, right past the officer, and I heard her tell him to stop, or whatever, and he shot her. He shot her down.
“He took off running. It’s unreal.”
He said the man continued to shoot behind him as he was running from the scene.
Clayton was hit three times, officials said.
Her heart stopped as she was being taken by ambulance to the hospital, but paramedics were able to revive her, the Orlando Fire Department said.
Clayton later died at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
“Debra Clayton is a hero and she gave her life protecting the community that she loves. She will be deeply missed,” said Orlando police Chief John Mina.
Master Sgt. Debra Clayton, wkd dayshift patrol, will be missed beyond words. She always had a smile/high five 4 every/kid she came across. pic.twitter.com/XUp1Z2RcFY
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) January 9, 2017
Mina vowed that Lloyd would answer for the police deaths:
“We’re going to bring this dirtbag to justice and he’s going to jail.”
…
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared Monday a day of mourning in memory of Clayton and a senior Orange County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle deputy who died in a crash while searching for Lloyd.
The Orlando Police Department family is heartbroken today. One of our own was taken in the line of duty. There are no words. pic.twitter.com/M48o1nnr4h
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) January 9, 2017
An Orange County sheriff’s deputy spotted Lloyd, at the intersection of North Lane and Pine Hills Drive and followed him to a nearby apartment complex, officials said.
The man shot at the deputy, hitting his unmarked SUV twice, and then carjacked a second vehicle and continued to flee, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.
He abandoned the vehicle near the intersection of Rosemont Avenue and Cinderlane Parkway and fled on foot, deputies said.
“As he was running, he was shooting back, he was shooting backwards,” Herman said. “I hit the ground on the side over here because I wasn’t sure where the shooting was coming from at first.
https://youtu.be/VQgPUtT6cY0
Lloyd, 41, has been on the run since the Dec. 13 shootings of 24-year-old Sade Dixon and her brother Ronald Steward outside of her home. Dixon was a mother of two and was pregnant when she was shot to death. Her brother was shot and critically injured when he came to her aid.
Lloyd is a convicted felon with a long rap sheet, having been arrested in Orange County 20 times since 1994, according to court records.
Orlando police made note of the irony that today’s tragic events happened on “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.”
Tragic irony: The deaths of OPD Sgt Clayton & OCSO Deputy occurred on #lawenforcement appreciation day We are still committed to your safety pic.twitter.com/IZ1ullEJo8
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) January 9, 2017
There is a reward out for Lloyd.
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