'I played dead and prayed': Sole surviving victim, 11, of Florida massacre by 'Marine sharp-shooter high on meth' recounts horror tale of survival from her hospital bed

 The 11-year-old sole survivor of a family massacre described how she survived the horrific event allegedly carried out by a Marine sharp-shooter turned 'survivalist' on meth.  

Bryan Riley, 33, allegedly killed a family of four, including a three-month old baby in his mothers arms, and injured the 11-year-old girl during a brutal rampage Sunday morning in Lakeland, Florida. 

The 11-year-old girl, whose name has not been released, was shot several times in the legs. She remains hospitalized at Tampa General Hospital where she is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. 

'She told our detectives that, "I believe the reason that I'm alive is because I played dead and I prayed,''' Judd said.  

Marine sharp-shooter Bryan Riley, 33, allegedly opened fire on a family of four at 4:30am on Sunday killing 40-year-old Justice Gleason, his 33-year-old girlfriend Theresa Lanham, their three-month-old son Jody, Lanham's 62-year-old mother Catherine Delgado and the family dog

Marine sharp-shooter Bryan Riley, 33, allegedly opened fire on a family of four at 4:30am on Sunday killing 40-year-old Justice Gleason, his 33-year-old girlfriend Theresa Lanham, their three-month-old son Jody, Lanham's 62-year-old mother Catherine Delgado and the family dog

Gleason (left) and Lanham (right) were shot dead on Sunday morning in their Lakeland home

Gleason (left) and Lanham (right) were shot dead on Sunday morning in their Lakeland home

The couple (pictured) lived with Lanham's mother Catherine Delgado who owned the Florida property. Delgado was also killed in the massacre

The couple (pictured) lived with Lanham's mother Catherine Delgado who owned the Florida property. Delgado was also killed in the massacre

The couple's baby son Jody was clutched in the arms of his mother as they were shot

The couple's baby son Jody was clutched in the arms of his mother as they were shot

When asked why he shot the baby, Riley responded, 'Because I'm a sick guy. I want to confess to all of it and be sent to jail.'

When asked why he shot the baby, Riley responded, 'Because I'm a sick guy. I want to confess to all of it and be sent to jail.'

Riley is being held at Polk County Jail on four counts of first-degree murder with no current motive for the shooting identified. He was escorted from the Sheriff's Operation Center in Winter Haven to Polk County Jail on Sunday afternoon as he kept his eyes shut

Riley is being held at Polk County Jail on four counts of first-degree murder with no current motive for the shooting identified. He was escorted from the Sheriff's Operation Center in Winter Haven to Polk County Jail on Sunday afternoon as he kept his eyes shut 

The young girl was rescued by deputies before they raided the house. 

'Despite us fearing there were booby traps, our Sgt. Graham rushed into the house when he heard there was someone in there, scooped her up and ran out with her, and she said, 'the other three are dead,'' Sherriff Judd told reporters. 

Riley is being held without bond at Polk County Jail on four counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of Justice Gleason, 40, his 33-year-old girlfriend, Theresa Lanham, their three-month old son, Jody, and Lanham's 62-year-old mother, Catherine Delgado, who owned the property. The the family dog Diogi was also shot dead. 

The 11-year-old is Gleason's daughter from a previous relationship.   

A family statement said she has already undergone four surgeries to repair 10 wounds but is alert, reading, writing and generally in good spirits. 

'She was very scared when this happened, but she just prayed during the event and knew it would be OK,' their statement to WTVT-TV said. 'We appreciate all the well wishes, kind words and prayers.' 

Another 10-year-old girl related to family was found safe at a relative’s home, according to Judd. The sheriff did not give any further details.

Riley, a United States Marine who served as a sharp-shooter for four years in active service in Afghanistan and Iraq before being honorably discharged, reportedly suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and worked as a security guard.

He described himself as a 'survivalist' and told police that he was high on methamphetamines at the time of the shooting. Police have not confirmed a toxicology report. 


Detectives don't believe Riley knew the family or others in the neighborhood.  

'The big question that all of us has is, 'Why?'' local prosecutor Brian Haas said after Sunday's slayings. 'We will not know today or maybe ever.' 

The detectives still did not identify the motive behind the shooting even after Riley claimed he knew they did. 

As he was arrested on Sunday he told officers, 'You know why I did this.' 

When asked why he shot the baby, Riley responded, 'Because I'm a sick guy. I want to confess to all of it and be sent to jail.' 

He told police the family begged for their lives, but he shot them anyway, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. 

The massacre came about nine hours after investigators say Gleason had a bizarre confrontation with Riley. 

Riley's long-time girlfriend reportedly told authorities that he came home and told her he saw a man on a lawnmower, and that God gave him a vision that his daughter was going to commit suicide.

That man appeared to be Gleason, police said. Riley drove to Gleason's house and told him that God had sent him to prevent Amber's suicide but Gleason and one of the other victims explained that no one by that name lived there and asked him to leave. 

When officers arrived on the scene, Judd said, they saw a truck on fire

When officers arrived on the scene, Judd said, they saw a truck on fire

Video footage from a neighbor recorded four short volleys of about six to ten shots

Video footage from a neighbor recorded four short volleys of about six to ten shots  

Riley and the officers exchanged gunfire after they arrived at the scene in the early morning

Riley and the officers exchanged gunfire after they arrived at the scene in the early morning

Riley eventually stepped outside and surrendered after he had been shot

Riley eventually stepped outside and surrendered after he had been shot 

Sheriff: Gunman shot four dead, including baby, before ambushing cops
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They called 911, but when authorities arrived, Riley was gone. A deputy searched the area but didn´t find him.

Riley returned at about 4:30am and arranged glowsticks to create a path leading to the victims´ house in what Judd said may have been an attempt to draw officers 'into an ambush.'

Shots soon rang out as neighbor Liberty Ulrich´s security camera recorded at least four short volleys of about six to 10 shots each. 

A deputy in the area heard the gunfire and sounded the alarm, bringing state and local law enforcement officers to the scene.

When they arrived, they found an apparently unarmed Riley outside, dressed in camouflage, and his truck ablaze. Riley ran back into the house, where authorities heard more gunfire, 'a woman scream and a baby whimper,' Judd said.

Officers tried to enter, but the front door was barricaded. Judd said that when they went to the back, they saw Riley, who appeared to have donned full body armor.  

Riley and the officers exchanged heavy gunfire, with dozens 'if not hundreds of rounds' fired before Riley retreated back into the home, according to Judd. 

Everything fell silent until a helicopter unit noticed that Riley was coming out, the sheriff said. He had been shot once and surrendered.

Officers heard cries for help inside but were unsure whether there were additional shooters. One officer rushed in and grabbed the wounded 11-year-old girl. 

'I will never be able to unsee that mother with that deceased infant in her arms,' Judd said. 'It is a horror of the utmost magnitude.'

Riley´s girlfriend told investigators he was never violent but had become increasingly erratic. She said he claimed to be on mission from God, stockpiling supplies for Hurricane Ida victims including $1,000 worth of cigars. 

He worked as a private security guard and had no criminal history, the sheriff said. 

'This guy was a war hero. He fought for his country,' Judd said. 'He´s a coldblooded killer.'

Miguel Rivera, a resident of Lakeland, Florida, claimed Riley pounded on his sliding-glass door almost an hour before his neighbors were shot on Sunday morning

Miguel Rivera, a resident of Lakeland, Florida, claimed Riley pounded on his sliding-glass door almost an hour before his neighbors were shot on Sunday morning

The 11-year-old daughter of Gleason, from a previous relationship, is in stable condition while being treated a Tampa hospital after being shot by Riley

The 11-year-old daughter of Gleason, from a previous relationship, is in stable condition while being treated a Tampa hospital after being shot by Riley 

Officers from the Polk County Sheriff Department work outside the family's Lakeland home on Tuesday outside of the home where the family was shot

Officers from the Polk County Sheriff Department work outside the family's Lakeland home on Tuesday outside of the home where the family was shot 

Before heading to his deadly destination, Riley pounded on his victims' neighbors door before gunshots were heard moments later.

Miguel Rivera, of Lakeland, Florida, heard the pounding on his sliding door early on Sunday before the mass shooting occurred.

Even though no was there by the time Rivera responded to the knock, he believes that he might have been another one of the alleged shooter's victims if he had gotten there sooner.

'I pray to God every day I am alive still,' Rivera told the Associated Press on Tuesday,  'I feel sad for those people. God rest their soul.' Rivera added 'They were nice people. It doesn´t make sense. I can´t get it through my head.'  

At the crime scene Tuesday, sheriff´s deputies carted out bags of items. The single-story, concrete block home has a smaller home in the back near a child´s inflatable pool. A sign on a fence labels the property 'The Compound,' while another sign warns about a dog on the premises.

Thirty miles (48 kilometers) from the shooting, no one answered the door Tuesday at Riley´s home in the Tampa suburb of Brandon. 

The house was already decorated for Halloween, with a scarecrow and jack-o´-lanterns. Neighbors said Riley was quiet and didn´t socialize, but last week he stopped John Morris´ wife, who has cancer, and said, 'I want to pray for you.'

'It was odd. He didn´t make it loud or anything. He didn´t talk to us much and then all of a sudden he comes up with this,' Morris said. 

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