Weapons expert who trained Nassau deputy shooting suspect says he’s a survivalist, dangerous

3 years ago 300

We perceive from a weapons teacher who says helium trained Patrick McDowell. He says he's shocked astatine what he's charged with.

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – A weapons teacher who said helium trained Patrick McDowell said helium is dangerous, knows however to usage a weapon and tin past successful the chaotic connected his own.

Weapons teacher Del Angelo told News4Jax helium trained McDowell years agone portion helium was a information guard.

Now, McDowell is connected the tally aft being accused of shooting Nassau County Sheriff’s Office lawman Joshua Moyers during a postulation halt connected Friday morning.

“I’m truly shocked and amazed astir the events that person unfolded here,” Angelo said.

MORE | Reward for antheral accused of shooting Nassau County lawman increases to $35K arsenic hunt enters Day 3

McDowell is believed to beryllium hiding successful Callahan successful a ample wooded area.

Angelo said helium trained McDowell astir a decennary ago.

“He was a pupil of mine. He worked for a information company. I did his grooming and past his yearly recertification for astir 3 years. That was astir 10 oregon 12 years ago,” helium said.

McDowell has served successful the Marines, according to records. A photograph of McDowell released Sunday by the Sheriff’s Office shows the Marine motto tattooed connected his body.

“I cognize helium was subject trained, and helium was a precise bully student, precise professional. I didn’t cognize thing antagonistic astir him,” Angelo said. “We conscionable trained him fundamentally for information effect and however to usage a handgun for self-defense oregon for protecting an country and helium was precise accomplished successful his usage of a handgun.”

With his subject background, Angelo said helium thinks McDowell tin past connected his ain successful the woods.

“He’s precise overmuch a survivalist and he’s been subject trained connected endurance and weapons use. So he’s precise accomplished astatine endurance and being unrecognized,” helium said. “He can’t alteration his quality but helium tin definite fell good and cognize however to enactment retired of people’s enactment of sight.”

Angelo said helium hopes McDowell is recovered soon without anyone other getting hurt.