Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders is examining a shooting spree by Lyndon James McLeod, a far-right extremist, who murdered five people and injured two others on a rampage in Denver and Lakewood, Colorado.
On December 27, 2021, in what is commonly known as the 2021 Denver and Lakewood shootings, McLeod first gunned down 44-year-old Alicia Cardenas and 35-year-old Alyssa Gunn-Maldonado at a tattoo shop in central Denver. Alyssa’s husband, Jimmy Maldonado, was also shot in the attack, but he survived his injuries.
A few minutes later, McLeod broke into a nearby home, where he fired some shots but thankfully failed to injure anyone before he fled the scene.
The killer then broke into another home in the Cheesman Park area, where he shot dead 67-year-old Michael Swinyard.
By this stage, the police received a description of the suspect’s van, which led to a car chase and shots fired by both McLeod and officers. The gunman disabled a cop car through gunfire and escaped toward Lakewood.
McLeod drove to another tattoo shop in Lakewood, where he gunned down 38-year-old Danny Schofield. A short time later, Lakewood Police made contact with McLeoad in a shopping area of the Belmar district, and shots were fired. McLeod was again able to escape, but this time on foot.
Lyndon McLeod shot dead five people in Denver and Lakewood
McLeod ran into the Hyatt House hotel and shot dead the front desk worker, 28-year-old Sarah Steck. Steck was the only murder victim that was unknown to McLeod.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelA minute after killing Steck, McLeod was on foot when he encountered Lakewood Police Agent Ashley Ferris at an intersection. Ferris ordered him to put down his weapon, but he refused, shooting her in the abdomen. Officer Ferris, severely wounded and lying on the ground, returned fire and killed the gunman. He was 47.
The shooting spree had lasted less than an hour.
Agent Ferris was hailed a hero and was awarded the Purple Heart and Medal of Distinguished Service.
Lyndon James McLeod was an alt-right extremist with misogynistic views
McLeod was described as an alt-right extremist who engaged with and perpetuated crazed online conspiracy theories. He reportedly held extremist and misogynistic views and had been investigated by the police on two occasions; however, no charges were filed against him.
The killer had previously owned a now-defunct tattoo business, and his victims, with the exception of hotel receptionist Steck, were known to him. McLeod had reportedly written a self-published book that told the story of a man who murdered multiple people. Some of his victims and other real-life people were named in his book. He used the pen name Roman McClay.
Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders airs Mondays at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery.