Who Is Markeith Loyd? Man Sentenced to Death After Killing Lieutenant

Markeith Loyd was sentenced to death on Thursday morning after he was convicted in November of fatally shooting a Florida police officer five years ago.

The decision by a judge on Thursday comes after a jury found Loyd guilty of murdering Orlando Police Lieutenant Debra Clayton.

At the time, Loyd was named a primary suspect in the December 2016 shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon. He went on the run for several weeks, prompting a manhunt from the Orlando Police Department and other nearby law enforcement agencies.

As reported by CNN, in January 2017, about a month after killing Dixon, Loyd fatally shot Clayton outside of a Walmart in Orlando. He was arrested a few days later at an abandoned home in Orlando's Carver Shores area.

In October 2019, Loyd was found guilty of the murder of Dixon as well as first-degree murder of an unborn child. A jury voted against the death penalty for Loyd. He was facing life in prison for that case.

Then in November 2021, Loyd was convicted for Clayton's death, and a jury recommended that he receive the death penalty for the crime.

According to WESH 2 News in Orlando, Loyd said during the trial that he did not mean to fatally shoot Clayton, claiming that she fired the initial gunshots at him.

Shortly after the death sentence ruling was announced, Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón issued a statement saying, "although nothing can undo the heartache created by the defendant's heinous actions, we hope that this brings solace to our community, knowing a dangerous murderer will face the highest penalty provided by law."

The statement continued: "Lieutenant Clayton impacted the lives of those around her throughout the City of Orlando. Her leadership and involvement in programs like Operation Positive Direction is still felt today by seeing the dedication our officers and staff have in mentoring our youth through this program."

The Orlando Police Department also posted a video on Twitter Thursday about the fallen officer. Newsweek was directed to the statement by Rolón and the video after reaching out to the Orlando Police Department for comment.

Additionally, former Orlando Chief of Police John Mina also issued a statement following the decision saying that he was "very pleased" with the ruling.

"Rest in pace Lt. Debra Clayton," Mina said.