Reward now at $55,000 as 5th day of search for murder suspect underway

Jacksonville, Fl — Update 7:55AM Tuesday: The reward for information leading to the arrest of Patrick McDowell has grown to $55,000. McDowell is wanted for Friday’s shooting of Nassau County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Moyers, who died on Sunday.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office say it is planning an update around 10 am today. Keep listening to 104.5 FM for updates throughout the day.

Update 3:37PM Monday: Richard McDowell, the father of Patrick McDowell, provided a statement about his son’s situation:

Update 9:00AM Monday: The reward for information leading to the arrest of Patrick McDowell has grown to $54,000 as the search for McDowell continues for a fourth day. The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office says McDowell could still be in the NE Florida area.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole witnessed the dive team going into a wooded area where crews have been searching.

Update 5:15AM Monday:

The community is rallying around the family of Nassau County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Moyers, who died on Sunday, two days after being shot during a traffic stop. The suspect, Patrick McDowell, is still at large.

This morning there will be a heavy police presence in the Sandy Ford Road and US 301 area. The Sheriff’s Office will be collecting evidence for an undetermined amount of time.

The reward for information leading to McDowell’s arrest is now over $50,000.

Update 3:45PM Sunday:

“It is with great sadness that I announce Deputy Josh Moyers has passed away this afternoon, September 26, 2021 at 2:19 PM at UF health in Jacksonville. Please keep Josh’s family and fiancé in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this terrible tragedy.”

-Sheriff Bill Leeper:

The search for suspect Patrick McDowell continues on Sunday afternoon.

Update 12:30PM Saturday:

The search continues for the Patrick McDowell, the man accused of gunning down a Nassau County Sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop in Callahan Friday morning.

During a press briefing on Saturday, Sheriff Bill Leeper said that 29-year-old Deputy Joshua Moyers is not expected to survive his injuries.

“Last night his family and fiancé had a meeting and decided to donate his organs,” Leeper said.

Frist Coast Crime Stoppers and the Florida Sheriffs Association are both offering a $5,000 rewards for anyone who has information leading to the arrest of McDowell.

“We now have a murderer on the loose in our community,” Leeper added.

Over 300 people from multiple agencies are still searching the area near where the incident occurred. Leeper says they have already found a flashlight and what is believed to be his hat, but McDowell is still on the run.

Leeper said to the community, “This guy is dangerous. If you’re in a home and he breaks in your home and you have a gun, blow him out the door. ‘Cause he is like a rabid animal. He will kill you.”

More information on the suspect is below. This is a developing story, refresh for updates.

Update 5PM Friday:

On Friday evening, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper provided an update in the search for the man accused of shooting a deputy and critically injuring him. Sheriff Leeper says there is no change in the status of 29-year-old Deputy Joshua Moyers, he remains very critical and this evening a family member will be flying in.

“Still praying for the deputy and his family”. Sheriff Leeper says.

The Sheriff says the search for the suspect, 35-year-old Patrick McDowell, will continue overnight. He says the darkness will present challenges for law enforcement.

“We have helicopters and drones and all that, can kinda detect heat in the dark, so we’ll continue to search that way until daylight tomorrow, and then we’ll continue what we’ve been doing today”. Sheriff Leeper says.

He says they still believe McDowell is wearing the same thing he had on last night. Sheriff Leeper says the search area in Callahan is several acres large and people living in the area should keep their doors locked and report anything suspicious to law enforcement. He’s also asking for people in the area to check their home cameras, including one that might be in their hunting camp, for any suspicious activity or images of McDowell on them.

We reported earlier on Friday that the incident began when Moyers decided to pull over a burgundy-colored Chrysler Town and Country minivan. The vehicle turned in off of State Road 200 onto Sandy Ford Road, near the railroad tracks. The vehicle was reportedly stolen out of Jacksonville. The suspect, McDowell, provided a false name and did not have a driver’s license on him. As Moyers asked him to step out of the vehicle, a train was coming down the railroad tracks. That’s when McDowell shot Moyers twice with a handgun and sped off just before the train came by. The vehicle was found abandoned in a wooded brush area and the passenger, a woman, hid under a shed and was later taken into custody. She is now cooperating with authorities.

This is a developing story, refresh for updates.

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A manhunt is underway for Patrick McDowell, the suspect that authorities said shot a Nassau County Sheriff’s Office deputy twice during a traffic stop in Callahan early Friday morning. The deputy is at UF Health in Jacksonville and is in life-threatening condition. (Nassau County Sheriff's Office)

Update 12PM Friday:

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputy shot during a traffic stop early Friday morning.

During a press conference Sheriff Bill Leeper stated that 29-year-old Joshua Moyers was shot once in the face and once in the back while responding to a traffic stop on U.S. 301 in Callahan.

The incident began when Moyers decided to pull over a burgundy colored Chrysler Town and Country minivan. The vehicle turned in off of State Road 200 onto Sandy Ford Road, near the railroad tracks. The vehicle was reportedly stolen out of Jacksonville.

The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Patrick McDowell, provided a false name and did not have a driver’s license on him. As Moyers asked him to step out of the vehicle, a train was coming down the railroad tracks. That’s when McDowell shot Moyers twice with a handgun and sped off just before the train came by.

The vehicle was found abandoned in a wooded brush area and the passenger, a woman, hid under a shed and was later taken into custody. She is now cooperating with authorities.

Leeper says a JSO dog was also shot by the suspect, possibly with a rifle. A rifle was discovered abandoned in an area where the K9 was shot. At last reported, the dog appears to be okay.

Leeper became emotional when he talked about the condition of Moyers during the press conference. “He was hired with NCSO in 2015... just a great guy. I went to see him, he’s very critical, we’re not sure if he’s going to make it or not.” Leeper added that Moyers was just planning a wedding with his fiancé.

According to deputies, Moyers started with the sheriff’s office in 2015 and before that, he was an NCSO Explorer from 2011 to 2013. Back in July 2018, Moyers received an ABCD Award for going above and beyond the call of duty during a narcotics case. The sheriff’s office says he’s known for his proactive police work, good attitude, and hard work.

The search continues for McDowell, who is considered armed and dangerous and has prior arrests.

This is a developing story, refresh for updates.

ORIGINAL STORY:

WOKV is on scene of breaking news in Callahan, where a Nassau County Sheriff’s Deputy was in life threatening condition after being shot early today. The sheriff’s office says the deputy was shot during a traffic stop. They are looking for Patrick McDowell (pictured).

A second person who was in the suspect’s vehicle was cooperating with NCSO, according to spokesperson Ashley Spicer.

The suspect has prior arrests, according to NCSO. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Multiple agencies are on scene including Florida Highway Patrol, JSO and Atlantic Beach Police.

McDowell is also accused of shooting a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office K9. Deputies say McDowell has former military service training. He was active duty in USMC from 2005 to 2009 and reserve from 2009 to 2013.

He has previously been arrested for giving a false name to law enforcement and aggravated possession of stolen firearms. A possible vehicle involved is a 2019 maroon Chrysler; tag 88ASGB, registered to Joselito Deleon.

McDowell has a 2000 maroon colored Dodge; tag HVFP06, registered in his name.

This is a developing story, refresh for updates.

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