This Is Who Cops Are Looking For After Attempted Assassination Of Police Captain

Eustis, FL – A manhunt is underway for the gunman who shot a Eustis police captain on Thursday afternoon.

The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Jayson Aaron Colvin, may be driving a dark-colored SUV, Eustis Police Officer Lauren Brown said during a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

“He’s known within law enforcement due to prior contacts,” Officer Brown noted.

Colvin should be considered armed and dangerous, he said.

Law enforcement officers are currently working three crime scenes in connection with the shooting.

The incident began at approximately 12:15 p.m. at a Shell gas station located in the Winn Dixie plaza near State Road 44 and State Road 19.

Eustis Police Department Captain Gary Winheim was in the area of the gas station when shots were fired in the area, Officer Brown said.

Capt. Winheim “reported that he did hear gunshots,” and was driving behind the suspect’s SUV when the gunman began firing at him, Officer Brown said.

He was not pursuing the vehicle at the time.

The captain was hit by at least one of the bullets, and the suspect fled the scene.

Officer Brown said there may have been a second suspect involved in the attack, and said he could not confirm that Colvin was the shooter.

It is unknown if the suspect or suspects were injured during the incident, and Officer Brown declined to comment regarding whether or not Capt. Winheim returned fire.

No civilians or additional officers were injured at either location where shots were fired.

Additional officers arrived at the wounded captain’s location in less than a minute, and he was subsequently transported to a local hospital by helicopter.

He is now in stable condition, and his wife is with him, Officer Brown said.

Capt. Winheim has been with the EPD for at least a decade.

Police are also searching a local junkyard, which Officer Brown described as a third crime scene.

All three of the scenes remain active, he said.

Capt. Winheim’s patrol vehicle is not equipped with a dashcam, and he was not wearing a bodycam at the time of the shooting.

Investigators are looking into whether or not security cameras might have captured the initial shots fired in the Winn Dixie area.