Elderly couple critically injured in Florida attack; officer shot at hospital by suspect
An elderly couple was critically injured when a man struck the woman with a vehicle and beat both victims outside a college near Daytona Beach, Florida, according to police. The suspect later grabbed an officer’s gun during a struggle at a hospital and fired a shot, wounding the officer in the leg.
The attack happened at about 6:43 p.m. on Sunday outside Daytona College at 425 South Nova Road in Ormond Beach, north of Daytona Beach. The victims, a 79-year-old man and his 74-year-old wife, were taken to a hospital in critical condition.
An initial police statement said the couple went to a building after receiving a burglary alarm notification. At a later briefing, Ormond Beach Police Chief Godfrey said they arrived at about 4:30 p.m. for a routine check of the business and discovered unfamiliar belongings, including bags, beer and identification.
The woman began texting her son about the items shortly afterward, with the conversation continuing for about two hours. She wrote that she thought someone was coming back, and her son said he was on his way and mentioned calling 911.
At about 6:44 p.m., the woman called 911 to have a trespasser removed. She described the suspect and said she believed he worked for the company that cleaned the building. Police later confirmed he was a janitorial contractor who had keys and had not forced his way inside.
Police said the suspect came out of the building, got into his vehicle and struck the woman. He then got out and repeatedly struck and kicked both victims. A crash and sounds of a physical confrontation could be heard during the 911 call.
The suspect fled on foot because his vehicle was disabled. Officers arriving minutes later found the couple on the ground, bleeding, and requested emergency medical help.
Officers located the suspect near Clyde Morris Boulevard and Hand Avenue, almost a mile away. He tried to flee but was subdued with a stun gun and taken into custody.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Michael Hightower of Daytona Beach, was questioned at the police department before being taken to a Daytona Beach hospital for medical clearance early Monday. Godfrey said the evaluation was needed because the suspect had been in a crash and officers had used a stun gun on him.
Police said his handcuffs were removed for a medical procedure. Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said a struggle broke out while the suspect was undergoing an MRI and officers tried to restrain him.
The suspect reached for an officer’s holstered gun and apparently pulled it out far enough to fire one round, Young said. The bullet struck Ormond Beach Officer Austin Long in the leg.
Young said the two officers present prevented the suspect from gaining full control of the firearm. Additional officers arrived and helped subdue him.
Long, an eight-year veteran of the department assigned as a K9 handler, is expected to make a full recovery. His injuries were not life-threatening.
“A husband and wife, 79 and 74 years old, did everything right and were still hurt terribly,” Godfrey said. “One of our officers was just doing his job, and he was shot.”
The suspect remains in custody on two counts of attempted felony murder in connection with the attack on the couple. Chief Young said he had been arrested on August 6 over an April hit-and-run in Daytona Beach and was out on bond.
Ormond Beach police are investigating the attack on the couple. Daytona Beach police are investigating the hospital shooting, with additional charges expected.
The post Elderly couple critically injured in Florida attack; officer shot at hospital by suspect appeared first on BNO News.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
