A man suspected of shooting and murdering a Florida sheriff’s deputy during a traffic check is now being hunted down by more than 300 people. Authorities had increased the reward for information leading to the shooter’s arrest from $25,000 to $54,000.

Deputy Josh Moyers of Nassau County was shot twice during a traffic stop in Callahan early Friday morning and died of his injuries on Sunday, according to authorities.

“It is with great sadness that I announce Deputy Josh Moyers has passed away this afternoon,” Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said Sunday night.

The deputy had been conducting a traffic check about 2 a.m. when he was shot, according to police. He was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. Nassau County is located in northeast Florida, and it shares a border with Georgia.

Leeper said the hunt for the shooting suspect is still ongoing in the same five-square-mile radius as Friday, which encompasses over 3,000 acres.

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

Authorities said the suspect had a female passenger in his car. The passenger is reportedly now cooperating with police and has identified the suspect as 35-year-old Patrick McDowell. Leeper said the perpetrator fled after shooting Moyers. He added that the suspect opened fire on the officer after he was ordered to exit the vehicle.

Leeper said McDowell shot the deputy right in his face. When the deputy fell, the suspect “reached out and shot him in the back,” Leeper said. Moyers’ family and fiancée had decided to donate his organs.

On Sunday, the sheriff’s office paid tribute to Moyers on social media.

“Tonight we put on a brave face and hide the tears; as there is work to be done…As this night won’t be easy, we hope to soon bring this nightmare to an end. Rest easy knowing Bravo Team is carrying you with us. We love & miss you,” the post said.