Markeith Loyd, the man accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend as well as a police officer, was arrested last night by Orlando police, who had been searching for him for over a month. He was arrested with the handcuffs of Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton, whom he is accused of shooting and killing outside of a Walmart on Jan. 9.
Loyd's face appeared beaten and bruised when he was spotted by reporters whilst being taken into custody. "They beat me up!" he repeatedly yelled out. Later on, his face was covered in bandages when he was seen leaving the Orlando police's headquarters.
Earlier on Tuesday, Loyd had been placed on the U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list. Local, state, and federal authorities were involved in the search. He was found and arrested at an abandoned house in the Carver Shores area of Orlando, said Orlando police Chief John Mina.
When they found him, Mina said that Loyd was wearing body armor and that he was armed with two handguns, including one that had been modified to contain a 100-round drum. He reportedly dropped his weapons upon seeing police and then attempted to escape, first through a back door and then through the front. He was eventually apprehended in the front yard.
Loyd resisted arrest, said Mina, and sustained injuries when police used force in an attempt to restrain him. As is standard procedure, an investigation into the officers' use of force will be conducted.
The charges have yet to be formally announced, but Loyd is expected to face multiple counts of first-degree murder for the Dec. 13 killing of Sade Dixon and her unborn child as well as the killing of Officer Clayton about a month later. Clayton was a master sergeant at the time of her killing and was posthumously promoted to lieutenant. She was killed by Loyd while responding to a tip that he had been in the area where the shooting took place.
Another officer, Orange County Deputy Norman Lewis, died in a crash while engaged in a search for Loyd.
Loyd is also expected to face charges of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly shooting one of Dixon's brothers in the leg, as well as aggravated assault with a firearm, which he allegedly pointed at Dixon's mother and her younger brother.
In the weeks leading up to last night's arrest, three people had been arrested for allegedly helping Loyd evade capture.
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[via ABC News]