Manhunt underway for suspect who shot Daytona Beach police officer

Law enforcement officials in Florida are searching for a man accused of shooting a police officer in the head on Wednesday, with officials offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s location.

The Daytona Beach Police Department tweeted a clip of body camera footage from the Wednesday incident and shared that “a $100,000 reward is now available for anyone who can help authorities locate the man who shot one of our officers in the head earlier this evening.”

THREAD (1 OF 2): A $100,000 reward is now available for anyone who can help authorities locate the man who shot one of our officers in the head earlier this evening.

The man we’re looking for is located in the video below. His name is Othal Wallace. He’s 29 years old. pic.twitter.com/hYHNqVLg8C

— Daytona Beach Police (@DaytonaBchPD) June 24, 2021

Police identified the alleged shooter as 29-year-old Othal Wallace. They added that he may be driving a gray 2016 Honda.

THREAD (2 OF 2): Othal Wallace may be in a gray 2016 Honda HRV with a California tag of 7TNX532.

Anyone with information is urged to contact 911 immediately. pic.twitter.com/5Fwii8nNs7

— Daytona Beach Police (@DaytonaBchPD) June 24, 2021

The police department in a Thursday statement said that the officer, whom they are not publicly identifying, responded to a “suspicious incident” at approximately 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young told reporters that the officer was conducting a “proactive patrol” when he first approached the suspect. 

“Upon arrival, he contacted a coward that was sitting inside a 2016 Honda vehicle with a California tag on it. As he was escorting him out of the car, at some point the suspect turns and shoots my officer one time in the head,” Young said.

Young on Thursday also told reporters that the officer is still in critical condition but that he underwent a “fairly successful” surgery.

“He still has a long way to go, so we’re just going to continue to pray for him that he continues to improve and pull out of this,” Young said, noting that the officer is 26 years old and has served the department for three years.

“Most of us are just starting to live at 26 years old. We are completely heartbroken by what took place,” Young said.

The chief added that area law enforcement and U.S. marshals are both searching for the man as of approximately 6 a.m. on Thursday morning.