Police in north Florida have arrested a man wanted in the fatal shooting of a sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop last Friday.
Patrick McDowell, 35, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon at a baseball field in Callahan, the same city where Nassau County Sheriff Deputy Joshua Moyers was mortally wounded, according to First Coast News.
Moyer, 29, died Sunday at a Jacksonville hospital after being shot in the face and back after he pulled over a suspicious vehicle that turned out to be stolen, reports said.
The shooting happened at 2:30 a.m. Friday near Micker Street in the Callahan area of U.S. 301, about 20 miles from Jacksonville, according to reports.
Authorities launched a manhunt for the suspect that lasted five days and included 300 investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies in the state, The Florida Times-Union reported.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office also released photos of McDowell’s tattoos on Sunday, including one across his shoulders that read “Death Before Dishonor,” in hopes that someone would recognize the suspect. Police warned the public not to approach McDowell because he was considered armed and dangerous.
McDowell is a former U.S. Marine and reservist who was previously diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to WCTV.
Investigators found a flashlight and a hat belonging to McDowell, and previously found a gun that they believe was used to shoot a police dog during the search Friday, The Florida Times-Union reported.
Fox 5 Atlanta reported the suspect was possibly seen in Georgia after a hotel in Hapeville reported a man in the area who fit McDowell’s description. However, police lost sight of that suspect after he sped away on a motorcycle on northbound Interstate 75.
It was unclear how authorities finally caught up with the suspect and whether anyone would collect on the $54,000 reward that was being offered for McDowell’s arrest.
A funeral for Moyers is scheduled for noon Saturday at Callahan First Baptist Church in Callahan, according to First Coast News.
The family has started a GoFundMe to raise money to help cover the expenses.
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