Topline: A couple responding to a college burglary alarm suffered critical injuries before the suspect allegedly grabbed a guarding officer’s gun at a hospital, leaving the officer wounded.
Published: September 23, 2026 7:04 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Michael Hightower, left, and Officer Austin Long (via Volusia County Jail / Ormond Beach Police Department)
ORMOND BEACH, FL — A Daytona Beach man faces two counts of attempted felony murder after an alleged attack left a couple critically injured outside Daytona College, followed hours later by a hospital struggle in which a police officer was shot in the leg.
Michael Hightower, 40, is accused of striking a 74-year-old woman with a vehicle and repeatedly beating her and a 79-year-old man, according to WFTV’s reporting on the Ormond Beach Police Department’s account. Police said additional charges are expected following the separate confrontation with the officer guarding him.
The initial incident began around 6:43 p.m. Sept. 20 at Daytona College, 425 S. Nova Road. Investigators said the couple went to the building after receiving a burglary alarm notification.
They found a suspicious vehicle parked outside and items inside the building that did not belong there, including a wallet, an identification card and suspected alcohol, police said.
While the couple stood outside contacting dispatch, the suspect came out of the building and entered the vehicle, investigators said. He allegedly struck the woman with it, then got out and punched and kicked both victims multiple times before fleeing.
Officers and paramedics found both victims in critical condition. They were taken to a hospital for treatment.
A multi-agency search led officers to Hightower on foot near the 300 block of Clyde Morris Boulevard around 7:37 p.m., police said. He was taken into custody, questioned and then transported to a Daytona Beach hospital for a medical evaluation.
At about 3:20 a.m. Sept. 21, Hightower became involved in a physical struggle with the Ormond Beach officer assigned to guard him, authorities said. Investigators allege he grabbed the officer’s firearm during the struggle, resulting in the officer being shot in the leg.
The officer’s injuries were not life-threatening, and authorities said a full recovery was expected. Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey expressed concern for the couple and the officer as they recovered.
Ormond Beach police are investigating the attack on the couple. Daytona Beach police are leading the investigation into the hospital shooting. Both investigations remain open.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Couple Critically Injured in Attack; Suspect Accused of Grabbing Officer’s Gun at Hospital
A couple responding to a college burglary alarm suffered critical injuries before the suspect allegedly grabbed a guarding officer’s gun at a hospital, leaving the officer wounded.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: September 23, 2026 7:04 am ET
Michael Hightower, left, and Officer Austin Long (via Volusia County Jail / Ormond Beach Police Department)
ORMOND BEACH, FL — A Daytona Beach man faces two counts of attempted felony murder after an alleged attack left a couple critically injured outside Daytona College, followed hours later by a hospital struggle in which a police officer was shot in the leg.
Michael Hightower, 40, is accused of striking a 74-year-old woman with a vehicle and repeatedly beating her and a 79-year-old man, according to WFTV’s reporting on the Ormond Beach Police Department’s account. Police said additional charges are expected following the separate confrontation with the officer guarding him.
The initial incident began around 6:43 p.m. Sept. 20 at Daytona College, 425 S. Nova Road. Investigators said the couple went to the building after receiving a burglary alarm notification.
They found a suspicious vehicle parked outside and items inside the building that did not belong there, including a wallet, an identification card and suspected alcohol, police said.
While the couple stood outside contacting dispatch, the suspect came out of the building and entered the vehicle, investigators said. He allegedly struck the woman with it, then got out and punched and kicked both victims multiple times before fleeing.
Officers and paramedics found both victims in critical condition. They were taken to a hospital for treatment.
A multi-agency search led officers to Hightower on foot near the 300 block of Clyde Morris Boulevard around 7:37 p.m., police said. He was taken into custody, questioned and then transported to a Daytona Beach hospital for a medical evaluation.
At about 3:20 a.m. Sept. 21, Hightower became involved in a physical struggle with the Ormond Beach officer assigned to guard him, authorities said. Investigators allege he grabbed the officer’s firearm during the struggle, resulting in the officer being shot in the leg.
The officer’s injuries were not life-threatening, and authorities said a full recovery was expected. Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey expressed concern for the couple and the officer as they recovered.
Ormond Beach police are investigating the attack on the couple. Daytona Beach police are leading the investigation into the hospital shooting. Both investigations remain open.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
Couple Critically Injured in Attack; Suspect Accused of Grabbing Officer’s Gun at Hospital
A couple responding to a college burglary alarm suffered critical injuries before the suspect allegedly grabbed a guarding officer’s gun at a hospital, leaving the officer wounded.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: September 23, 2026 7:04 am ET
Michael Hightower, left, and Officer Austin Long (via Volusia County Jail / Ormond Beach Police Department)
ORMOND BEACH, FL — A Daytona Beach man faces two counts of attempted felony murder after an alleged attack left a couple critically injured outside Daytona College, followed hours later by a hospital struggle in which a police officer was shot in the leg.
Michael Hightower, 40, is accused of striking a 74-year-old woman with a vehicle and repeatedly beating her and a 79-year-old man, according to WFTV’s reporting on the Ormond Beach Police Department’s account. Police said additional charges are expected following the separate confrontation with the officer guarding him.
The initial incident began around 6:43 p.m. Sept. 20 at Daytona College, 425 S. Nova Road. Investigators said the couple went to the building after receiving a burglary alarm notification.
They found a suspicious vehicle parked outside and items inside the building that did not belong there, including a wallet, an identification card and suspected alcohol, police said.
While the couple stood outside contacting dispatch, the suspect came out of the building and entered the vehicle, investigators said. He allegedly struck the woman with it, then got out and punched and kicked both victims multiple times before fleeing.
Officers and paramedics found both victims in critical condition. They were taken to a hospital for treatment.
A multi-agency search led officers to Hightower on foot near the 300 block of Clyde Morris Boulevard around 7:37 p.m., police said. He was taken into custody, questioned and then transported to a Daytona Beach hospital for a medical evaluation.
At about 3:20 a.m. Sept. 21, Hightower became involved in a physical struggle with the Ormond Beach officer assigned to guard him, authorities said. Investigators allege he grabbed the officer’s firearm during the struggle, resulting in the officer being shot in the leg.
The officer’s injuries were not life-threatening, and authorities said a full recovery was expected. Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey expressed concern for the couple and the officer as they recovered.
Ormond Beach police are investigating the attack on the couple. Daytona Beach police are leading the investigation into the hospital shooting. Both investigations remain open.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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