Daytona Beach Officer Shot In The Head While Approaching Suspicious Vehicle

A 26-year-old police officer has been wounded in a shooting near the area of Kingston Avenue in Daytona Beach, officials told WESH 2 News.

Officials said the officer was approaching a suspicious vehicle on Kingston Avenue when the officer was shot by the suspect, who then took off.

The officer, who was shot in the head, was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center.

Officials say the officer is out of surgery and in critical condition, though has shown some improvement.

The 26-year-old officer has been with department 3 years.

"This officer is 26 years old. 26 years old. Behind me (in the hospital). Fighting for his life. Most of us are just starting to live at 26 years old," Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said. "This particular cop, knowing him, if he were to pull through this, this cop would do everything in his power to get back on the job and continue serving the community. He would do so with zero hatred or malice in his heart."

Inside the complex where the shooting happened, authorities found three ballistic vests, multiple high capacity magazines, a firearm, a rifle, a semi-automatic handgun and boxes of rifle rounds.

The search continues for the suspect, believed to be Othal Wallace, 29. A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. The suspect vehicle is described to be a gray 2016 Honda HRV bearing CA tag 7TNX532.

The suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous, authorities said.

Sections of I-95 and I-4 were shut down due to the search for the suspect but has since been reopened, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A lockdown in Volusia County has been expanded.