ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — A Daytona Beach man is facing attempted murder charges after authorities say he critically injured an elderly couple outside Daytona College and later grabbed an officer’s gun during a struggle at a hospital, shooting the officer in the leg.
According to the Ormond Beach Police Department, the incident began around 6:43 p.m. Sept. 20 at Daytona College, 425 S. Nova Road.
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Investigators said a 79-year-old man and 74-year-old woman responded to the building after receiving a burglary alarm notification. When they arrived, they discovered a suspicious vehicle parked outside and found items inside the building that did not belong there, including a wallet, identification card, and suspected alcohol.
While the couple was outside contacting dispatch, police said the suspect exited the building and got into the vehicle. Investigators say he struck the woman with the vehicle, then got out and assaulted both victims, punching and kicking them multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Officers and paramedics arrived a short time later and found both victims in critical condition. They were transported to a hospital for treatment.
Following a multi-agency search, officers located the suspect on foot near the 300 block of Clyde Morris Boulevard around 7:37 p.m. and took him into custody.
Police identified the suspect as Michael Hightower, 40, of Daytona Beach.
After being questioned, Hightower was transported to a Daytona Beach hospital for a medical evaluation. Authorities said that around 3:20 a.m. Sept. 21, he became involved in a physical altercation with an Ormond Beach police officer assigned to guard him.
During the struggle, investigators say Hightower grabbed the officer’s firearm, resulting in the officer being shot in the leg.
The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
Hightower is currently charged with two counts of attempted felony murder, and police said additional charges are expected.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the couple and our officer as they recover from this heinous incident,” Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said in a statement.
The Ormond Beach Police Department is investigating the assault on the elderly couple, while the Daytona Beach Police Department is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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