Suspect shoots officer with own gun at Florida hospital after assault on elderly couple

An Ormond Beach officer was shot in the leg with his own gun by a suspect at a hospital in Florida. The suspect had earlier assaulted an elderly couple in Volusia County.

Ormond Beach officer shot with own gun after suspect's hospital struggle

An Ormond Beach police officer is expected to make a full recovery after being shot in the leg with his own firearm by a suspect at a hospital, mynews13.com reports. The incident followed the arrest of Michael Hightower, who had earlier been taken into custody in connection with an assault on a couple in their 70s at Daytona College in Volusia County.

Officer Austin Long was shot during a physical struggle with Hightower while the suspect was receiving treatment at the hospital. Long was subsequently transferred to a separate medical facility, where he is expected to recover fully. Ormond Beach Police Chief Robert Godfrey said Long is in good spirits and surrounded by family.

The case began on Sunday when the elderly couple reported Hightower trespassing at Daytona College. During a 911 call, the woman provided a detailed description of the suspect and indicated she believed he worked for the janitorial company contracted to clean the college. An arrest affidavit confirmed that the cleaning company assigned to Daytona College had an employee by the same name, who was also scheduled to work at that location.

Police said Hightower struck and kicked the husband and wife multiple times before fleeing the scene. He was later apprehended and taken to hospital for treatment.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young described Hightower's behaviour as "extremely erratic." "We don't know if that means he was on drugs or what the situation was," Young said. Young added that he believed Hightower viewed the hospital as a final opportunity to escape. "I believe based on what he did to that elderly couple, he knew that if he was going to escape, that hospital was his last opportunity to try and get away," Young said.

While Hightower was being prepared for an MRI, he reached over and grabbed Long's firearm from its holster. Young said the gun was drawn just far enough for a single shot to be fired, striking Long in the leg. Officers present at the hospital then subdued Hightower.

Young confirmed he is investigating the circumstances of the shooting. The elderly couple remained in critical condition.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)