Wanted man kills Florida police officer

Florida - A man wanted for killing his former

girlfriend fatally shot an Orlando, Florida, police officer on

Monday, authorities said, prompting a manhunt and a reward of up

to $60 000 (R820 000).

The suspect was identified as Markieth Loyd, 41, who was

considered armed and dangerous.

An Orange County sheriff's deputy in the manhunt for Loyd

was killed in a collision between his motorcycle and a vehicle.

"We are bringing this dirt bag to justice," Orlando Police

Chief John Mina said of Loyd at a news conference.

Authorities said the slain officer, Master Sergeant Debra

Clayton, was shot while responding to a sighting of the suspect.

Loyd fled the shooting scene outside a Walmart in a car and

fired at a deputy who tried to the stop him, authorities said.

The deputy was unharmed.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared a day of mourning after

the officers' deaths.

Authorities have been trying to capture Loyd in connection

with the December murder of a pregnant woman, the Orange County

Sheriff's office said.

According to online jail record, Loyd also had been booked

in October in Orange County on charges including burglary,

attempted carjacking and violation of a pretrial release.

Clayton, a 17-year veteran of the Orlando Police Department,

died at a hospital, the department said. Several photos posted

on social media showed Clayton at community events, working to

improve relations between police and residents.

"The Orlando Police Department family is heartbroken today,"

the department said on its Twitter feed, which also showed a

video of officers escorting a U.S. flag-draped gurney. "One of

our own was taken in the line of duty. There are no words."

Orange County Public Schools said in a tweet 17 schools had

been placed on lockdown, adding: "All students & staff are

safe."

Dyer said the deaths of Clayton and the deputy, whose name

was withheld pending notification of relatives, will be felt

throughout the city.

"On this sad day, I ask that our community stands united in

support of the families of the fallen officer and deputy," he

said in a statement. 

Reuters