, Fla. — Newly released records give us a clearer picture of the violent series of events involving the man accused of attacking an elderly Ormond Beach couple — and later shooting an Ormond Beach police officer inside a Daytona Beach hospital.
Police say 40-year-old Michael Hightower admitted he had been stealing from Daytona College, where he was a contracted worker, and attacked Nancy and Roger Bradley because he believed they would call 911.
Investigators said Hightower ran over the couple with a car before punching and kicking them — including multiple kicks to their heads.
The Bradleys were found badly injured outside their business Sunday and remain hospitalized.
Manny Manolas, the owner of Manny’s Pizza House next to the college, has known the couple for more than 20 years. He said Nancy and Roger were regular customers and had a favorite table at the restaurant.
Manolas said when he learned what happened, “our hearts just fell to the floor and we just started praying.”
Investigators said Hightower later saw photos of the Bradleys bleeding at the scene, put his head down and apologized.
But the violence continued after his arrest.
Hightower was taken to AdventHealth Daytona Beach for medical clearance after being tased and crashing his car. Newly released records detail what happened inside the hospital.
Police said Hightower was handcuffed to a hospital bed, but before a CT scan, his cuffs were moved to the front. Officer Austin Long told investigators that as he was uncuffing Hightower, Hightower immediately reached for his holstered gun.
Long said he began striking Hightower in the head to get him off the weapon while another officer also tried to stop him. According to the arrest affidavit, Hightower defeated the holster’s two-step retention system, partially pulled the gun out, put his finger on the trigger and fired.
The bullet struck Officer Long in the leg.
Police said Hightower continued fighting with officers after the shooting, including spitting on multiple officers and trying to bite one officer’s hand. The affidavit said Hightower later told another officer he should have shot him, too.
The Bradleys remain hospitalized and are still fighting for their lives.
Hightower is being held without bond in the Volusia County Branch Jail.
He is scheduled for a pretrial detention hearing on Thursday afternoon at the Justice Center in Daytona Beach.
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