ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – New court records are revealing what happened inside AdventHealth Daytona Beach — where the suspect accused of brutally attacking an elderly Ormond Beach couple allegedly fought an officer, grabbed his gun and shot him in the leg.
Nancy and Roger Bradley remain in very critical condition, according to police. The couple owns and operates Daytona College, located in the parking lot where they were found Sunday night after responding to a burglary alarm.
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A neighboring business owner says the attack has devastated the community around the plaza.
“This was Nancy and Roger’s favorite table — they’d come here two to three times a week and have lunch at this table,” said Manny Manolas, who owns the pizza shop next door.
“When we found out what happened to Nancy and Roger, our hearts just fell to the floor,” Manolas said.
“They’re so passionate about their school; they love kids, they’re very professional and educated, very ambitious,” he added.
Police say the Bradleys called 911 after finding a suspicious car, bags and alcohol in the parking lot Sunday night. Nancy Bradley can be heard on that call moments before the attack.
“I think he may work for the janitorial company, but I don’t know him,” Nancy Bradley says on the 911 call.
Investigators say suspect Michael Hightower then struck Nancy with his car, got out and beat both victims. Hightower fled but was chased, arrested and taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
According to an arrest report, Hightower told officers he had been stealing from the college and knew Nancy was calling police. He also told them he was hoping officers would kill him.
At the hospital, the arrest report states Hightower began fighting with an officer, reached for Officer Austin Long’s gun during a handcuff change and shot him in the leg. The weapon fired once. Afterward, Hightower allegedly told another officer, “You should have shot me also.”
The arrest report also notes that officers had removed their body cameras and vests to put on gowns for Hightower’s CT scan at the time of the shooting.
Days later, the violence is still weighing heavily on those who knew the couple.
“We’re heartbroken. They’re still in critical condition so we’re all praying for them,” Manolas said.
The officer has been released from the hospital and is recovering. Hightower is due back in court for his arraignment on Oct. 13.
The state says Hightower was already on pretrial release in a separate hit-and-run with injury case at the time of the attack.
