An on-duty patrol officer in Florida who was inspecting a “suspicious vehicle” Wednesday night was rushed to the hospital after the driver shot him in the head, a video of the incident shows.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Othal Wallace, a 29-year-old black male, who was behind the wheels of a gray 2016 Honda HRV with California tag 7TNX532 at the time of the inspection and shooting.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release Wallace is considered “armed & dangerous” and urges anyone with information on the suspect to contact 911 “immediately.”
The identity of the wounded officer is currently withheld, but Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young confirmed he is at the Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
“I’m grateful for every agency that has responded over here tonight to help us because they are committed to staying out here until we have this coward in custody,” the chief said.
In a 29-second clip from the incident, Wallace is seen on the body-camera video from the officer shooting at him shortly after he started a conversation, asking the suspect if he was living here.
“Come on man, don’t do this. Why are you asking me if I live here?” the suspect is heard asking the officer. Wallace is then seen struggling for several seconds with the officer, shouting, “Stop! Stop, man!” before firing his gun, hitting the officer in the head.
Young said the armed motorist drove off after shooting the officer, who joined the police force three years ago.
“This is a young kid and I highlight that because most officers you would see their wives or their kids respond to the hospital (when wounded), it’s his mom in there,” the chief said. “So that tells you where he is in his life.”
