Brandon Man Charged With 4 Counts Of Murder By Grand Jury In Lakeland Family Massacre

POLK COUNTY, FL — Four charges of first-degree murder have been filed against Bryan Riley as part of a 22-count indictment that stems from the early September slaughter of a Lakeland family, according to court documents.

Riley of Brandon was in the Lakeland area picking up a hurricane safety kit a friend of his made for him Sept. 4. After he left his friend's house that evening, he stopped in front of victim Justice Gleason's house and started asking about an imaginary woman named Amber, investigators said.

The defendant told Gleason God had sent him there because Amber was threatening to commit suicide. Riley became angry that Gleason and his family members did not allow him to intervene and help.

Authorities said Riley went back to his house and returned early the next day during the dark hours to kill four family members and their dog, and seriously injured Gleason's 11-year-old daughter, Aubry Gleason. As he shot the child, Riley told her he killed her family because they were involved in sex trafficking activities, which Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said was not true.

The indictment was filed Tuesday in Polk County Circuit Court against Bryan Riley. He remotely appeared before a judge Wednesday and the 22 charges were read to him along with a statement of constitutional rights.

Among the charges Riley faces in addition to first-degree murder: attempted first degree murder on a law enforcement officer, animal cruelty, arson and shooting into a building.

Riley, a 33-year-old Marine, could ultimately face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted of the murders, WFLA reported. He is expected to enter a plea in October at an arraignment.

Riley is accused of killing Justice Gleason, Theresa Lanham, who was Gleason's girlfriend; Lanham's mother, Catherine Delgado; and Gleason's infant son, who was four months old at the time of the shooting.

Aubry Gleason was shot multiple times and is the only surviving member.

"He talks non-stop to most anybody that’ll listen to him," Sheriff Judd told the TV outlet. "He’s obviously designated as a dangerous inmate and being supervised closely."

Aubry Gleason continues to recover at a Tampa hospital.

If you 'd like to donate to help with Aubry's recovery, GoFundMe sites have been set up for her. If you would like to donate, click here or visit here.

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