Orlando police capture suspected killer Markeith Loyd near MetroWest

ORANGE COUNTY  Thanks to the work of Orlando police, Orange County Sheriff's deputies and other law-enforcement agencies, accused cop killer Markeith Loyd is now in custody.

Loyd is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon and Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton.

In a press conference at Orlando Police Department headquarters on Tuesday, Jan. 17, Orlando Police Chief John Mina said police found Loyd, at approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday. Loyd was hiding out in an abandoned house at 1156 Lescot Lane in Carver Shores, near MetroWest and around the corner from Clayton's mother's house.

As a SWAT team surrounded the house, Mina said Loyd tried to escape out the back doors before being confronted by Orlando police officers. He then went back inside and came out the front door of the house, wearing body armor and wielding two handguns. Mina said Loyd then threw the guns to the ground and was taken into custody, but not without resisting arrest.

And, as a law-enforcement tradition that goes back many years, Mina said, officers placed Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton's handcuffs on Loyd.

"Debra Clayton risked her life for this community that she loves so dearly, and to put her handcuffs on the bad guy she was trying to catch when she was killed is significant to her family and to her OPD family, as well," Mina said. "I was extremely happy this dangerous person is off the streets. To bring closure to Debra Clayton's family, to bring closure to Norman Lewis' family and Sade Dixon's family, it's been a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the entire week."

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said that Loyd is to be charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted homicide and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

"I do congratulate all of the law-enforcement personnel who were involved in bringing this individual into custody. This community certainly has been emotionally impacted by the events in the last week," Demings said at the press conference. "I believe our entire community is going to breathe a sigh of relief at this point, because they will sleep better knowing tonight that this maniac, if you will, is off the street."

Last week, upon hearing of Clayton's murder, Ocoee Police Deputy Chief Saima Plasencia had shared her sentiments for fallen officers Clayton and Lewis.

"When a law-enforcement officer makes the ultimate sacrifice by laying down their life in order to keep our community safe, we all grieve. Law enforcement is the difference between good and evil in the communities we serve," Plasencia said. "When running into the battle against evil, our community is our first thought. We set aside our families and lives without thought, running into the fray.

"Sgt. Debra Clayton and Deputy First Class Norman Lewis were exceptional servants, giving their lives to protect their communities against evil. We stand with their families, knowing that their lives will be forever intertwined with ours."

City of Orlando District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill, a close friend of Clayton's, was relieved to hear of Loyd's capture.

"I'm certain the family and myself, being her friend, are so grateful for the due diligence of law enforcement and (for them) not sleeping on this," Hill said at the conference. "This is a multi-unit collaboration of county, city, state and national law enforcement and I'm forever grateful for all the hard work they put in in bringing this cold-blooded killer to justice, and alive."

Mina added how grateful he was to all officers, detectives and agencies involved for their tireless efforts and hard work in tracking Loyd down. 

"Markeith Loyd was not captured from a tip. He was captured by great police work and tireless efforts," Mina said. "These guys and girls have been working nonstop for nine days and I'm extremely proud of them. We're very excited a cop killer, someone who's also wanted for Sade Dixon's murder, is off the streets. The community is safer and we can get back to the business of keeping this community safe."

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].