Tragedy at Daytona College: A Community in Mourning Following Brutal Attack on Owners

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — A quiet, career-focused campus in Ormond Beach is reeling following a senseless act of violence that has left a prominent local couple dead and critically injured. Michael Hightower, a contractor assigned to Daytona College, now faces a series of severe felony charges, including second-degree murder, following an encounter that investigators describe as a calculated attempt to silence those who discovered his illicit activities.

The violence has sent shockwaves through Florida’s private education sector, drawing national attention to a small, specialized institution that has served the region for three decades. As the legal proceedings against Hightower begin, the community is left to grapple with the loss of Roger Bradley, a U.S. Army veteran and dedicated educator, and the uncertain future of his wife, Nancy, who remains in critical condition.

The Facts of the Case: A Calculated Act of Violence

Florida prosecutors have formally charged 34-year-old Michael Hightower with second-degree murder, attempted murder, and four additional felony counts. The charges stem from a harrowing incident that occurred on the campus of Daytona College, a small, for-profit institution specializing in health-care and nursing certifications.

According to charging documents, the violence erupted when Nancy Bradley, the college’s CEO, identified Hightower on the premises. Court records suggest that Hightower, who was employed by a third-party cleaning service contracted by the college, was not scheduled to work that day. Recognizing him as a potential trespasser—or, as Hightower reportedly feared, a man caught in the act of theft—Nancy Bradley contacted 911.

What followed was a swift and brutal escalation. As Nancy Bradley remained on the phone with emergency dispatchers, investigators allege that Hightower struck her with his vehicle. When her husband, 72-year-old Roger Bradley, rushed outside to check on his wife, he was also targeted by Hightower. Roger Bradley succumbed to his injuries ten days after the encounter.

The violence did not end with the assault on the Bradleys. Following his arrest, Hightower was transported to a local hospital after being tased by responding officers. While in custody and undergoing treatment, he allegedly managed to seize an officer’s firearm and discharge it, leading to an additional charge of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

Chronology of a Disastrous Day

The timeline of the tragedy highlights a sequence of events that moved from a suspected administrative irregularity to a multi-victim homicide investigation.

• Pre-incident: Hightower, already facing an unrelated felony hit-and-run charge and out on bond, reportedly began stealing from the college. Court documents suggest he was aware that his actions were being monitored.
• The Day of the Attack: Despite not being clocked in for his cleaning shift, Hightower arrived on campus. Nancy Bradley observed him and, suspecting trespassing, initiated a call to the police.
• The Assault: Realizing the police were on the way, Hightower allegedly used his vehicle as a weapon against Nancy Bradley. Roger Bradley was attacked while attempting to intervene and protect his wife.
• The Arrest and Secondary Assault: Responding officers quickly located Hightower near the college grounds. During his detention and subsequent medical intake, Hightower allegedly attempted to kill an officer using the officer’s own sidearm.
• The Aftermath: Roger Bradley died from his injuries ten days later. Nancy Bradley remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Confession and Remorse: The Defendant’s Statement

In a disturbing series of admissions during his police interview, Hightower provided investigators with a glimpse into his mindset. According to court records, Hightower admitted that he had been stealing from the college and feared that Nancy Bradley’s call to the police would "add to his troubles."

Perhaps most chilling were his comments regarding his own life. Hightower reportedly expressed a desire for the police to kill him, stating that he was "not satisfied with certain events in his own life" and citing long-standing childhood trauma. In a strange juxtaposition to the violence he perpetrated, he also told investigators that he "would like to offer his apologies to the courts and both victims," while simultaneously seeking "sympathy and understanding" for his position.

Legal experts note that while these statements may reflect a desire for leniency, they also serve as a damning admission of intent and consciousness of guilt. His status as a defendant on bond for an earlier felony at the time of the attack adds a layer of complexity to the prosecution’s case, as it highlights a history of recidivism that will likely play a significant role in his upcoming trial.

The Legacy of the Bradleys: A Pillar of Florida Education

The impact of this tragedy is magnified by the stature of the victims. Roger and Nancy Bradley have been fixtures in the Florida private education landscape for decades. Since purchasing Daytona College in 2003, they transformed the institution from a niche massage therapy school into a vital provider of nursing and health-care education.

A History of Service

Roger Bradley’s life was defined by service. As a U.S. Army veteran, he brought a disciplined approach to the management of the multiple trade schools he and his wife operated. Business records indicate that the couple successfully managed several institutions, including the Central Florida College and the North Florida Institute, before narrowing their focus to Daytona College.

Nancy Bradley’s influence extended far beyond the campus of her own institution. Her career included significant policy work, most notably her service on the Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE) from 2003 to 2018. As chair of the commission, she played a pivotal role in the oversight and regulation of private colleges across the state. Furthermore, her leadership as president of the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges cemented her reputation as a formidable advocate for vocational and career-based education.

Institutional Impact

Daytona College itself is a small, tight-knit community. With an enrollment of approximately 191 students as of fall 2024, the school serves as a launchpad for students pursuing careers in high-demand medical fields. The college recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, an milestone that was meant to be a moment of reflection and celebration but has now been overshadowed by this tragedy.

Implications for Campus Security and Hiring

The incident has prompted immediate questions regarding the vetting and supervision of contractors at private educational institutions. While the college has yet to issue a public statement, the legal and administrative implications of the case are significant.

Contractor Vetting

The fact that a contracted employee was able to enter the facility, commit a series of thefts, and then carry out an act of violence raises critical concerns regarding background checks and access control. While cleaning services are a standard necessity for any campus, the ease with which Hightower bypassed standard operating procedures—specifically by being on-site without clocking in—highlights a vulnerability that many institutions may now be forced to address.

The Responsibility of Oversight

As a former leader of the Florida Commission for Independent Education, Nancy Bradley was intimately familiar with the regulatory requirements for school safety. The irony that her own institution fell victim to a security breach involving an external contractor is not lost on the community. Industry analysts suggest that this case will likely lead to stricter legislative requirements for the background screening of all third-party vendors who have access to private educational campuses in Florida.

A Community in Shock: Moving Forward

The Ormond Beach community is mourning the loss of a man who was deeply embedded in the local fabric. Flowers and memorials have begun to appear near the entrance to the college, as students and faculty struggle to process the sudden, violent loss of their leader.

For the students of Daytona College, many of whom are training for the very medical careers that could have saved lives in this incident, the tragedy is deeply personal. The faculty and staff are currently faced with the daunting task of maintaining educational continuity while grieving.

As the legal system prepares for a trial that will likely be lengthy and emotionally grueling, the primary focus remains on the recovery of Nancy Bradley. Her survival and testimony will be crucial to the prosecution’s case. Until then, the doors of Daytona College remain open, though the institution is forever changed by the events of this month. The case serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of human violence and the fragility of the institutions that anchor our local communities.

The Bradleys’ life work—the education of the next generation of healthcare workers—now stands as a testament to their dedication, even as the community demands justice for a crime that has left a permanent scar on the history of Ormond Beach.