Crime

3 charged with helping Markeith Loyd before officer's killing

By Crimesider Staff

January 12, 2017 / 1:00 PM EST / CBS News

ORLANDO, Fla. - An ex-girlfriend of Orlando cop-shooting suspect Markeith Loyd has been arrested for allegedly helping collect money for him after he allegedly fatally shot his pregnant ex-girlfriend in December, according to an arrest affidavit.

CBS affiliate WKMG reports that Jameis Slaughter, 25, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder on Wednesday.

Orlando shooting suspect Markeith Lloyd, whose police-released photograph is seen superimposed on the scene of the shooting of an Orlando police officer. Lloyd is the primary suspect in the shooting that took place on Jan. 9, 2017, outside an Orlando, Florida, Walmart. Orlando Police Department/WKMG/CBS News

The station reports that Slaughter’s arrest marks the third in about 24 hours in connection with the search for Loyd, who police say fatally shot Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton outside a Walmart Monday, and who is still at large. Zarghee Mayan, 33, was arrested Tuesday night and Loyd’s niece, Lakensha Smith-Loyd, 27, was arrested Wednesday afternoon. WKMG reports that police say all three people arrested may know where Loyd is hiding.

Deputies said Slaughter originally gave them the name of her twin sister when they apprehended her. She told them her real name as she was being taken to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the affidavit said.

In the hours after Sgt. Clayton’s shooting, Slaughter’s vehicle was seen circling the grocery store and the area where Loyd was believed to have escaped.

Deputies said Slaughter also attempted to collect rent money from a woman on Loyd’s behalf on Dec. 17, days after police said Loyd fatally shot his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.

Orlando police officers salute as the body of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton (pictured in the inset image) is taken from a hospital after she was shot and killed on Monday, Jan. 9, 2016. Orlando Police Department

Slaughter, Mayan and Smith-Loyd are all charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

Deputies said Mayan has seen Loyd multiple times since Dixon’s murder on Dec. 13. In one of those encounters, the two hugged and Mayan allegedly realized Loyd was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Mayan gave Loyd money and food in the days after Dixon’s murder, according to an arrest affidavit. He also allegedly gave Smith-Loyd $200 to give to her uncle.

Orlando police Chief John Mina said Tuesday that arrest warrants were being prepared for people who aided and abetted Loyd after Dixon’s December killing.