DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A man accused of shooting a Daytona Beach police officer is now facing first-degree murder charges.
Officer Jason Raynor died Tuesday night, nearly two months after he was shot in the head while on patrol.
Raynor was shot in the head in late June by suspected gunman Othal Wallace, while Raynor was responding to a suspicious incident near Kingston Avenue in Daytona Beach.
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A short time later, Raynor’s radio communication went silent. When officers arrived on scene, they found the officer shot on the ground.
Raynor served the Daytona Beach community for three years.
READ: Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor dies after being shot in the head
Wallace remains in custody without bail. He already pleaded not guilty to attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
On Wednesday, the State Attorney’s Office announced it will seek the death penalty in the case.
>>> CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RAYNOR’S FAMILY <<<
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Jason Raynor, the Daytona Beach Police Department, and all our brothers and sisters in law enforcement today,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said. “We will proceed with our solemn mission to hold Officer Jason Raynor’s murderer accountable. Justice equals accountability and justice demands the death penalty.”
“I would like to thank everyone at the State Attorney’s Office for pursuing justice in this case,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young. “We fully support R.J. Larizza and his staff. We will do everything in our power to assist them in this pursuit of justice for the Raynor family, the men and women of the Daytona Beach Police Department and all law enforcement officers everywhere.”
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According to jail records, Wallace now faces a first-degree murder charge. He appeared in front of a judge on Wednesday afternoon.
Wallace said nothing in court except that he will use the public defenders’ office until he can hire his own private attorney.
TIMELINE: Othal Wallace captured in Georgia
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