Jody Dex Gleason, a 3-month-old infant from Lakeland, Florida, tragically passed away on September 5, 2021. Born on May 21, 2021, Jody was a beloved member of his family, who cherished every moment with him during his short life. His death was part of a horrific incident that also claimed the lives of his father, Justice Gleason, his mother, Theresa Toney Lanham, and his maternal grandmother, Catherine Toney Delgado.
The family was brutally murdered by Bryan Riley, a 33-year-old former
Marine, who fatally shot Justice Gleason, 40, Theresa Lanham, 33, their baby boy Jody, and Catherine Delgado, 62. Riley, who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was reportedly suffering from delusions and believed that the family was involved in child sex trafficking. He claimed that he was on a mission from God to rescue a nonexistent child named "Amber." On the day of the murders, Riley, armed and wearing body armor, entered the family's home and opened fire, killing the four victims and injuring Justice Gleason's 11-year-old daughter, who survived despite multiple gunshot wounds.
Following the murders, Riley was apprehended by law enforcement after a gun battle in which he was wounded. He was charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, arson, burglary, and animal cruelty for killing the family dog. The state attorney's office announced that they would seek the death penalty for Riley, citing the cold, calculated, and premeditated nature of the crime. Riley is currently being held without bail and has not yet entered a plea to the charges.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the mental state of the perpetrator. Riley's girlfriend reported that he had been experiencing delusions and communicating with God, but had not previously shown signs of violence. The investigation into the murders revealed that Riley had no prior connection to the Gleason family and that his actions were driven by his delusional beliefs. The community of Lakeland has been left in shock and mourning over the senseless loss of such a young life and the devastating impact on the surviving family members.
