Sheriff: Witness helped ID man accused of shooting Daytona Beach officer

ORLANDO, Fla. – 2A witness helped identify the man accused of shooting Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor in the head during an encounter on Wednesday night, according to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.

Police continue their search for 29-year-old Othal Wallace, while officer Raynor, 26, remains in critical condition.

Chitwood said if it was not for the witness, investigators would only have body-cam footage at this moment.

[MORE COVERAGE: Here’s what we know about the injured officer | Body camera video shows Daytona shooting | $100,000 reward offered for suspect information | What we know about Othal Wallace]

The sheriff said once a witness identified Wallace, investigators were able to get a warrant to search the suspect’s home, where they confiscated guns and other weapons.

Chitwood said there was a lot of discussion of reward money when the suspect had not been identified yet.

“We figured that the video was so good that the most important thing was to catch him before an unsuspecting officer or unsuspecting civilian became a victim,” Chitwood said.

The search for Wallace has expanded outside of Florida.

A $200,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information leading to the arrest of Wallace.

Police said he is considered armed and dangerous and is believed to be driving a gray 2016 Honda HR-V with the California license plate number 7TNX532.

Anyone with information about Wallace is asked to call 386-671-5555.