Police close Florida county, offering reward for suspect who allegedly shot officer in the head

(CNN) – Police are looking for a suspect who allegedly shot an officer Wednesday in Daytona Beach, Florida, authorities said.

“A $ 100,000 reward is available to anyone who can help authorities locate the man who shot one of our officers in the head tonight,” the Daytona Beach Police Department said in a tweet, which It included a short edited video of the encounter.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young told a news conference that the shooting occurred just before 9 pm when an officer was conducting what he described as a “proactive patrol.”

“Upon arrival, he contacted a coward who was sitting inside a 2016 Honda vehicle with a California license plate. While escorting him out of the car, at some point the suspect turns around and shoots my agent once in the head, ”Young said.

The agent is currently in a local hospital “in serious condition,” Young said.

Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Othal Wallace and described him as armed and dangerous.

More than 500 officers have responded to the area, the chief said. Wallace could be in a “gray 2016 Honda HRV with California license plate,” he added.

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

Deltona is located about 30 miles from Daytona Beach.

“This whole county is closed until we find this coward,” Young said.

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