DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Investigators said they believe suspected shooter Othal Wallace disabled Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor’s body camera before fleeing.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Wallace has ties to extremist militant groups that appear in Wallace’s social media platforms.
“They’re even trained that, when you attack law enforcement, get their body camera,” Volusia County Mike Chitwood said. “That explains why when the video that (Daytona Beach police) released … goes blank, because he attacked the body camera before he shot the officer.”
Wallace is seen on social media posing with a firearm at his hip while attending a training camp in Georgia last weekend.
Chitwood said Wallace “absolutely, without a doubt” has a network of people available to help him.
“There are people helping him hide, absolutely,” Chitwood said.
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On social media, there are some people openly supporting Wallace and his actions.
Chitwood, who was the formerly Daytona Beach police chief, believes that makes the manhunt more difficult and more dangerous for law enforcement officers.
“Having been here for 10 years as the chief, it just makes me want to throw up,” he said.
READ: Suspect accused of shooting Daytona Beach officer may have ties to extremist group
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