Weapon found during search for evidence in case of murdered Nassau County deputy

NASSAU COUNTY — UPDATE | Thursday 9/30

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office announced it located a weapon during a search of a wooded area near a Callahan ballpark following the capture of murder suspect Patrick McDowell.

The discovery came one day after McDowell’s arrest. Investigators told Action News Jax multiple law enforcement agencies were still on the scene and searching for additional evidence.

The weapon will be examined and tested at the FDLE Crime Lab to determine if it is related to the murder case.

ORIGINAL STORY | Wednesday 9/29

The man wanted in the murder of Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers has been found, but the investigation is still far from over.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers were back searching a rural area of Callahan Wednesday to continue their hunt for evidence, specifically weapons tied to the shooting, according to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. Patrick McDowell, the man accused of killing 29-year-old Moyers, was found hiding inside a bathroom at the Higginbotham Sports Complex in Callahan after an extensive five-day search.

The sheriff’s office said the handcuffs used on McDowell at the time of his arrest were Moyers’.

In a Facebook post, BCSO wrote that approximately 400 law enforcement officers from state and local agencies, as well as members of the FBI and U.S. Border Control, are searching nearly 10 square miles of woods where McDowell was found yesterday.

BCSO said Lt. Shawn Burgin, Master Deputy Jacob Swaggerty and K-9 Waldo were assisting in the search. K9 Waldo is trained in the detection of firearms, ammunition, and explosives involving black powder.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that through organ donation, Moyers will live on in five people, including a 7-month old.

Moyers’ liver, pancreas, lungs, and kidney were all donated.

Funeral services for Moyers will be held Saturday at Callahan First Baptist Church. The service is not open to the public, per his family’s request.

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