Markeith Loyd, 41, appears in court after being accused of killing Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton on Jan. 9 and his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, in December.
A grand jury indicted accused Orlando cop-killer Markeith Loyd for 1st-degree murder, the killing of unborn child, attempted 1st degree murder and attempted felony murder. Loyd, 41, was accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend Sade Dixon in December and a warrant had been issued for his arrest before he shot Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton.
He appeared in court previously and lashed out at the judge with profanity-laced comments.
Loyd was arrested after a nine-day manhunt and authorities announced they increased the reward for his capture to $125,000. The U.S. Marshals Service added him to its top 15 most-wanted fugitives and along with the FBI, Homeland Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement assisted local agencies to find Loyd.
Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was allegedly shot and killed by Markeith Loyd, 41, right, on Monday. Orange County motorcycle Sheriff Deputy Jerry Demings was also killed in a traffic accident during the effort to capture the suspect. (Photos: Courtesy of the Orlando Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
On the morning of the murder, a shopper had tipped off Master Sgt. Clayton — who was putting bags in the trunk of her vehicle — that Loyd was in the Walmart waiting to check out. As the officer walked towards the store, the suspect barged out and fired at least 12 shots.
He has a long wrap sheet, meaning an extensive criminal history. On Nov. 30, he wrote on his Facebook page, “Goals!!!! To be on Americas most wanted.”
On Dec. 13, Loyd had gone to his girlfriend’s home on Long Peak Drive and began banging on the door. When Dixon answered, he shot her and her 26-year-old brother, Ronald Steward. He was critically wounded and five other people were home at the time of the shooting, including Dixon’s 5- and 7-year-old children.
