An ex-Marine sharpshooter who is accused of killing four people in Florida says “voices” told him to shoot people.
Bryan Riley, 33, is accused of fatally shooting four people at a home early in Lakeland, Fla. Sunday morning.
He is charged with first degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, shooting into a building, second degree arson, and armed burglary with assault/battery, the Polk County Sheriff’s office said on Twitter.
According to a police affidavit, Riley shot at deputies who entered the home, which led to him exchanging fire with the suspect, The Washington Post reports.
Riley held his first court appearance on Monday, where a judge ordered that he be held without bail, the Associated Press reports.
When Riley surrendered, he was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound. He allegedly attempted to grab an officer’s gun while being transported.
During an interview with police, Riley admitted to shooting several people and said voices instructed him to it, the Post reported. He also acknowledged he did not know the people who were killed and wounded in the shootings.
One of the four people killed has been identified as 40-year-old Justice Gleason. Riley also killed a 33-year-old woman and a three-month old infant she was holding.
Riley said he shot a baby because “I’m a sick guy. I want to confess to all of it and be sent to jail,” according to the affidavit.
The infant’s 62-year-old grandmother was also shot and killed, as was the family’s dog. An 11-year-old was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries.
Riley also said the victims begged him to stop as he continued shooting, the affidavit said. He further said he set a nearby pickup truck on fire as an “exit strategy,” the Post reported.