- April 25, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
As law enforcement continues to search for the suspect that the Daytona Beach Police Department reported shot one of its officers last night, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young thanked the community for its support during a press conference on Friday, June 24, and vowed that this incident will not change the way his department approaches policing.
"We work real hard in this city to try to change the narrative from what you see in other areas of the country," Young said. "I've been talking to all my officers all day long just to make sure that they understand that we're not going to let this one incident change how we serve our community... We're not going to let evil win."
DBPD reports that 26-year-old Officer Jason Raynor was shot in the head while responding to a suspicious incident just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, at 133 Kingston Avenue. The suspect, whom police identified as 29-year-old Othal Wallace, remains at large, and the agency is offering a $100,000 reward for anyone who can help law enforcement locate him. Wallace may be in a gray 2016 Honda HRV with a California tag of 7TNX532.
Raynor remains in critical condition at Halifax Hospital.
During the press conference, Young said Raynor has "a long road to recovery," and that he is heartbroken over his injury. He described Raynor as someone with a "heart of gold" who, if he pulls through, will do everything in his power to return back to his police work. Raynor has been with DBPD since February 2019, and prior to that, was an officer with the Port Orange Police Department.
“I’m hopeful and I’m keeping the faith that he’s going to pull through, but this is a senseless tragedy," he sad.
A GoFundMe page was launched to help Raynor and his family. As of Friday, June 25, the page has raised over $43,000 of its $100,000 goal. To donate, visit www.gofund.me/13f4d511
Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry said that what the community is facing is a "nightmare."
“We know that we want this suspect to be apprehended, and we want him to be apprehended quickly," Young said.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza was also in attendance at the press conference and said that their goal is to apprehend the suspect and make justice.
“Justice in this case means accountability," he said.
If you have information on Wallace's whereabouts, DBPD asks you call 386-671-5555. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online and through Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS.
This story was updated at 1:49 p.m. on Friday, June 25, to include the GoFundMe link for Raynor.
