Manhunt for suspected Orlando cop killer Markeith Loyd enters Day 8

Lt. Debra Clayton, Orange County Deputy Norman Lewis laid to rest

ORLANDO, Fla. – The manhunt for suspected Orlando cop killer Markeith Loyd, who is also wanted in the shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, entered Day 8 Monday.

[INTERACTIVE: Timeline for manhunt of Markeith Loyd]

Loyd is accused of shooting and killing Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton last Monday outside the Walmart at John Young Parkway and Princeton Street. Clayton was shot while trying to make contact with Loyd, who is also wanted in the December slaying of Sade Dixon. 

Dozens of law enforcement officers in tactical gear searched the abandoned Rosemont Country Club in Orlando on Sunday, but Loyd, 41, was not found.

The Orlando Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enfocement, the FBI and the U.S. Marshal's Office are searching for Loyd.

Orlando police Chief John Mina vowed last week that Loyd will be captured.

"Every single piece of information you can imagine is being picked up and looked up," Mina said. "Long after we catch Markeith, and we will catch him, long after it's done, the investigation into who helped him is going to continue. We will not rest until every single person who has assisted him in the slightest way, will be put in jail and behind bars."

Three people were arrested last week in connection with assisting Loyd.

Authorities said Loyd should be considered armed and dangerous, adding that Loyd is likely wearing body armor. Police said last week that Loyd was wearing a bulletproof vest when he shot Clayton.

More than 1,000 tips have been called in to Crimeline, and there's a $100,000 reward for information leading to Loyd's arrest.

Funerals were held in Orlando over the weekend for Clayton, who was posthumously promoted from master sergeant to lieutenant, and Orange County sheriff's Deputy Norman Lewis, who died in a crash during a manhunt for Loyd.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings awarded Lewis with the agency's Purple Heart award at his funeral.

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Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.