NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – The father of the man accused of shooting a deputy in Nassau County has issued a statement to the public, saying that he would like to “express my deepest regrets to the family and friends of Deputy Joshua Moyers.”
Moyers, 29, died after he was shot twice during a traffic stop on Friday, investigators said. The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office said the man suspected of shooting him, Patrick McDowell, was still on the run as of Monday night.
Records show McDowell had served in the U.S. Marines. A former colleague described McDowell as a “survivalist” capable of surviving on his own in the woods, a trained shooter and a dangerous person.
Sheriff Bill Leeper on Monday afternoon said there’s no evidence to suggest McDowell is outside the 3,000 acre area were crews have been searching. Hundreds of law enforcement officers have been assisting in the search.
News4Jax on Monday received a statement from McDowell’s father, Richard. It reads as follows:
News4Jax also spoke with McDowell’s aunt on Monday night, who was visibly upset. She and McDowell’s uncle said the accusations being made of their nephew are shocking because McDowell was raised by a stepfather who, at the time, was a police officer.
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