Former Marine Sharpshooter Kills 4, Injures 1, Says ‘God Told Him to Do it’

A former United States Marine sharpshooter who fatally shot four people and wounded an 11-year-old girl admitted to the shooting, saying, “God told him to do it.”

Bryan Riley, 33, is now facing four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, arson, armed burglary, and shooting into a building. The suspect was ordered held without bond during his first court appearance Monday. 

According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Riley’s girlfriend told investigators that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and struggled mentally for weeks. He said to her that he directly communicated with God.

“She said he had PTSD. ‘I’ve seen him depressed. I’ve never seen him violent,’ she said,” said Judd. “But a week ago today, meaning last Sunday, he did security at a church in Orlando. And he came home, and he said, you know, God spoke to him, and now he can talk directly to God. And she said, ‘I’ve never seen that kind of behavior.'”

Riley broke into two Lakeland, Florida homes early Sunday, killing four people. Police have only identified one victim, Justice Gleason, 40. Also killed were a 33-year-old mother and her 3-month-old baby. The baby’s grandmother was found dead in a second home on the property. The family’s pet dog, Diogi, was also fatally shot. 

An officer was able to run into the home and save an 11-year-old girl. She suffered seven gunshot wounds and was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for surgery. The victim is expected to survive. 

Riley first made contact with the family on Saturday when he randomly stopped by their home. He told Gleason God sent him to prevent a suicide, and police were called. By the time law enforcement responded, Riley had left. 

Riley returned to the home at about 4:30 a.m. when a lieutenant heard popping noises and alerted the department of an active shooter. Upon arrival, they found Riley’s truck on fire and Riley outside, unarmed. 

He ran back into the house and began firing. Officers heard “a woman scream and a baby whimper,” Judd said. Officers tried to gain access to the house, but it was barricaded. They located Riley in full body armor in the backyard, and gunfire was exchanged. Judd said “at least dozens if not hundreds” of rounds were fired.

He retreated into the house until a helicopter alerted the authorities he was coming back out. He had been shot once and surrendered to police.

Riley was treated for his injuries and released. There is no known connection to the victims, and the shooting is still under investigation.

More photos from the scene of the quadruple homicide in #Lakeland https://t.co/D6DOaLLc7u pic.twitter.com/KNuIIqNhXh

— Polk County Sheriff 🚔 Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) September 5, 2021