This entire county is on lockdown, police search for a suspect who shot a Daytona Beach officer

Daytona Beach, Florida – An investigation is ongoing after a police officer was shot Wednesday in Daytona Beach, Florida, authorities said.

“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 Daytona Beach Police Department said.

According to Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young the shooting happened just before 9 p.m. as an officer was conducting what he described as a “proactive patrol.”

“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.

The officer is currently at a local hospital “in grave condition,” Young said.

According to police, the suspect is 29-year-old Othal Wallace, and they described him as armed and dangerous.

More than 500 officers have responded to the area, the chief said, and Wallace may be in a “gray 2016 Honda HRV with a California tag.”

According to Young, the suspect is believed to be a local resident, and technology suggests the suspect may be in the Deltona area, which is why Volusia County is being searched.

Deltona is located about 30 miles from Daytona Beach.

“This entire county is on lockdown until we track this coward down,” Young said.