Florida cops used “lawful and justified” force when they arrested an accused cop killer who was so badly beaten that he lost his left eye, a state prosecutor said Wednesday.
“After carefully examining the report and evidence, I have determined that the use of force used during the arrest of Markeith Lloyd was lawful and justified under the provisions of Florida statues, and no further action will be taken by this office,” State Attorney General Phil Archer said in a statement, WOFL TV reported Wednesday.
Lloyd, 41, was arrested in 2017 after a week long manhunt for allegedly shooting Lt. Debra Clayton outside an Orlando Wal-Mart.
Clayton, 42, was at the store on Jan. 9, 2017, when she was tipped off that Lloyd, who was sought for questioning in the killing of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, was outside. As she approached him Lloyd opened fire, hitting the officer “multiple times.”
Lloyd fled the scene with sheriff’s deputies in pursuit, carjacking a second vehicle along the way and firing at a deputy’s car. A motorcycle cop who joined the chase crashed during the pursuit and was killed — but Lloyd was able to elude police.
When he was finally taken into custody by Orlando police on Jan. 17, Lloyd was a bloody mess — prompting an inquiry by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and lawyers from the state attorney general’s staff.
Archer said he received the “detailed and comprehensive” report July 10 and announced the results Wednesday.
“It documents, in detail, the actions of Markeith Lloyd and the force used by law enforcement officers who arrested him,” he said.