HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who was Jason Raynor? Daytona Beach police officer dies 2 months after being shot in head

Raynor had received an award after he rescued a woman who was attempting to jump off of the Dunlawton Bridge

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA: A Florida police officer who was in a critical state after being shot in the head during a traffic stop on June 23, 2021, died on Tuesday, August 17, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young announced.

Officer Jason Raynor died with his family at his side at 8:09 pm "Now more than ever, we ask for all of you to embrace the Raynor family and the Daytona Beach Police Department in your hearts during this devastating time and pray that God will give us all the strength to persevere through this senseless tragedy," Young said in a statement. "Jason’s sacrifice will never be forgotten."  Officer Raynor's family earlier informed that his "extensive injuries will take months and possibly years to recover from," but his condition tragically took a turn for the worst recently. 

READ MORE

Who was Ella French? Chicago cop, 29, killed in traffic stop was 'epitome of a good Samaritan'

Was Kyle DeFreytag married? Fourth officer who responded to Capitol riots dies by suicide

Othal Wallace, 29, was taken into custody three days after the fatal shooting took place. He is charged with attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm. Raynor's body camera footage showed Wallace getting out of his car and declining to sit back down when Raynor told him to.  The two started fighting after a brief exchange as Raynor yells, "Stop! Stop, man," and a gunshot rings out. Raynor was struck in the head. The 56-hour manhunt that ended when the police department found Wallace at a treehouse on a property owned by the "Not F***ing Around Coalition," which Vice News described as "America's largest armed Black militia" earlier this year.  The group has been involved in at least one violent incident before, when a member accidentally shot and wounded three other members during an armed rally in July 2020. 

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said, in part: “The outpouring of love and support that all of you have shown to our police department and to Officer Raynor’s family since he was severely injured has been nothing short of amazing. In His infinite wisdom God decided that it was time for this courageous young man to guard the gates of Heaven, even though that wasn’t the outcome that we all hoped for."

Raynor had been an officer with the Daytona Beach Police Department since 2019. Prior to joining DBPD, Raynor served as an officer with the Port Orange Police Department from October 2016 to February 2019. "Officer Raynor was an exemplary officer at our agency where he still maintains friendships with many of our current officers and staff,” Port Orange police said in a statement after the shooting.

Officials also said that Raynor received an award after he rescued a woman who was attempting to jump off of the Dunlawton Bridge. “Officer Raynor’s on-the-job accolades are surpassed only by his jovial spirit and genuine concern for his brothers and sisters and the communities he serves,” Port Orange police said