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Manhunt underway for suspect in killing of Orlando officer

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - An Orlando police sergeant was shot and killed Monday after approaching a suspect wanted for questioning in the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

A second law enforcement officer was killed in a motorcycle crash while responding to a massive manhunt for the suspect.

More than a dozen schools were placed in lockdown during the manhunt, and authorities were offering a $60,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Markeith Loyd, the 41-year-old suspect wanted in the killing of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton.

Officers and deputies focused their manhunt on an apartment complex in northwest Orlando, and dozens of residences had been searched. Residents who were evacuated from their homes sat on a sidewalk along a street with heavily armed officers and deputies and a parked SWAT team truck.

Clayton, 42, was killed outside a Wal-Mart store in northwest Orlando early Monday, and Orange County Sheriff's Office Deputy First Class Norman Lewis was killed in a crash while responding to a manhunt for Loyd.

Another Orlando police officer was involved in a crash while responding to the shooting but had only minor injuries.

Authorities said Loyd previously was a suspect in the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend in December.

"He should be considered armed and dangerous," Police Chief John Mina said at a morning press conference. Later in the day, the chief said, "It doesn't matter where he is. We will track him down to the ends of the Earth."

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said deputies had been searching unsuccessfully for Loyd for several weeks and believe he was receiving help from someone.

At an afternoon news conference, Demings urged Loyd to turn himself in peacefully.

"If we have to go in after him, then that jeopardizes and puts at risk the safety of law enforcement officers ... and we cannot control what happens in that situation," Demings said.

Mina lauded Clayton, a 17-year veteran of the force as a "committed" officer and "a hero" who gave her life to the community she loves. The Orlando Police Department said in a tweet that Clayton always had a smile and a high five for every child she came across.

Clayton had grown up in the Orlando area and was active in programs that mentored young people, Mina said.

"She was always the first to step up and help kids," the chief said.

Clayton was a supervisor for a patrol division in the neighborhood where she was shot, and she previously had worked in investigations and as a school resource officer, Deputy Chief Orlando Rolon said.

"She made a point, even outside her working hours, to do things for youth and do things for the community," Rolon said.

She was married and had a college-aged son. She died Monday at 7:40 a.m., less than an hour after she was shot while on duty.

Police released a video of Clayton's body being taken out of the hospital to a waiting van in a flag-covered stretcher. A line of officers saluted as the stretcher was wheeled out.

Authorities said 17 area schools were placed in lockdown after the shooting.

The apartment complex that was the focus of the manhunt and shooting in northwest Orlando was nowhere near Orlando's tourism corridor in the southern part of the metro area.

"There will be a large law enforcement presence in that area until we can determine he is not there," Mina said.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared a day of mourning in the city.

While at the Wal-Mart Monday morning, Clayton was tipped off by someone that Loyd was in the area. When she approached him, he fired multiple shots at Clayton, who was wearing body armor, Mina said.

Clayton returned fire but didn't hit him, he said.

Sheriff's officials said a deputy spotted Loyd fleeing in a vehicle. The suspect pulled into a nearby apartment complex and then fired at a deputy, striking the deputy's SUV twice. The deputy wasn't harmed, the sheriff's office said.

Loyd then carjacked another vehicle, drove away and then abandoned the vehicle not far away, according to the sheriff's office.

The manhunt was being conducted where he abandoned the vehicle.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy was killed more than two hours after the shooting when a van collided with his motorcycle as he responded to the manhunt. Demings described the 35-year-old Lewis as "a gentle giant," and the sheriff's office said he had played football for the University of Central Florida before joining the agency 11 years ago.

Gov. Rick Scott canceled an appearance in Orlando because of the shooting but appeared with Orlando officials at the news conference.

"I'm heartbroken and angry," Scott said.

Police officers block the intersection of Long Road and Clarcona Ocoee Road in Orlando, Fla., after an OPD officer was shot and killed Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. A manhunt is underway for suspect. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Orlando Police secure a perimeter at John Young Parkway and Silver Star road, after an Orlando Police officer was shot nearby, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017in Orlando, Fla. Orlando police say the officer who was shot while on duty has died, and a manhunt is underway for suspect.(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Orange County Sheriff deputies secure a perimeter at John Young Parkway and Silver Star Road, after an Orlando Police officer was shot nearby, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando police say the officer who was shot while on duty has died, and a manhunt is underway for suspect.(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Orlando Police SWAT team surrounds apartments off Cinderlane Parkway in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, where they believe a gunman wanted in the fatal shooting of an Orlando Police officer is holed up. The Orlando Police Department announced the death of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton on its official Twitter account Monday morning. (Red Huber//Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Law enforcement officers salute as the body of the Orange County deputy that died in the line of duty on Monday is brought to the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. The Orlando Police Department announced the death of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton on its official Twitter account Monday morning. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
In this image made from video and released by the Orlando Police Department, officers salute Master Sgt. Debra Clayton Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. A massive manhunt is underway in central Florida as authorities searched for a man accused of shooting and killing officer Clayton. The suspect has been identified as Markeith Loyd, 41, according to the Orlando Police. (Orlando Police Department via AP) The Associated Press
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings announces the death of deputy during a press conference at Orlando Regional Medical Center, in Orlando, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Looking on are elected officials, including Florida Gov. Rick Scott, far left, Orange Mayor Teresa Jacobs, second left, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer,right. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
The medical examiner's van, escorted by Orange County Sheriff deputies, leaves Orlando Regional Medical Center with the body of an unidentified OCSO deputy after the deputy was killed while responding to the fatal shooting of an Orlando Police officer in Orlando, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Friends and colleagues from Orlando Police Department and Orange County Sheriff's Office gather at the back of Orlando Regional Medical Center to salute the body of an unidentified OCSO deputy being transported by the medical examiner from the emergency room after the deputy was killed while responding to the fatal shooting of an Orlando Police officer in Orlando, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Orlando Police motor officer T. Hawxwell salutes as the body of an unidentified OCSO deputy is transported from the emergency room after the deputy was killed while responding to the fatal shooting of an Orlando Police officer in Orlando, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Florida Gov. Rick Scott bows his head and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, center, salutes as the body of an unidentified OCSO deputy is transported from Orlando Regional Medical Center after the deputy was killed while responding to the fatal shooting of an Orlando Police officer in Orlando, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Law enforcement officers escort the body of the Orange County deputy that died in the line of duty on Monday to the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office in Orlando, Fla., Monday morning, Jan. 9, 2017. The Orlando Police Department announced the death of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton on its official Twitter account Monday morning. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Law enforcement officers hug as other officers, not seen, escort the body of the Orange County deputy that died in the line of duty on Monday to the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Orlando Police Department announced the death of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton on its official Twitter account Monday morning. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Law enforcement officers escort the body of the Orange County deputy that died in the line of duty on Monday to the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday morning, Jan. 9, 2017. The Orlando Police Department announced the death of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton on its official Twitter account Monday morning. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Friends and colleagues console each other after the body of an unidentified OCSO deputy was transported from Orlando Regional Medical Center after the deputy was killed while responding to the fatal shooting of an Orlando Police officer in Orlando, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Law enforcement officers escort the body of the Orange County deputy that died in the line of duty on Monday to the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office in Orlando, Fla., Monday morning, Jan. 9, 2017. The Orlando Police Department announced the death of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton on its official Twitter account Monday morning. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Florida Gov. Rick Scott bows his head and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, center, salutes as the body of an unidentified OCSO deputy is transported from Orlando Regional Medical Center after the deputy was killed while responding to the fatal shooting of an Orlando Police officer in Orlando, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Law enforcement officers hug as other officers, not seen, escort the body of the Orange County deputy that died in the line of duty on Monday to the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Orlando Police Department announced the death of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton on its official Twitter account Monday morning. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer reads a statement expressing condolences during a press conference announcing the death of an Orlando Police officer and Orange County deputy, at Orlando Regional Medical Center, in Orlando, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Looking on are elected officials, including Florida Gov. Rick Scott, far left, Orange Mayor Teresa Jacobs, second left, Orange Sheriff Jerry Demings and Orlando Police Chief John Mina. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
A police officer comforts a woman as he escorts her into the emergency entrance at ORMC on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando police say the officer who was shot while on duty has died, and a manhunt is underway for suspect. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
Orlando Police investigate the scene Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, where an Orlando Police officer was shot at in the Walmart parking lot on Princeton St. and John Young Parkway. Orlando police say THE officer who was shot while on duty has died, and a manhunt is underway for suspect. (Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel via AP) The Associated Press
In this undated photo made available by the Orlando Police Department shows Markeith Loyd. Loyd is wanted for killing an Orlando police officer outside a Walmart in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Loyd is also accused of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend last month. (Orlando Police Department via AP) The Associated Press
Law enforcement officials stand near the entrance to a Walmart where a police officer was shot, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando police say the officer who was shot while on duty has died; a manhunt is underway for the suspect.(AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press
Orange County Sheriff's officers block the entrance to a Walmart near the scene where a police officer was shot, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando police say the officer who was shot while on duty has died; a manhunt is underway for the suspect.(AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press
A law enforcement vehicle drives near a Walmart where a police officer was shot, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando police say an officer who was shot while on duty has died; a manhunt is underway for the suspect. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press
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