- Alachua County deputies used a Taser to safely apprehend 26-year-old Josiah Smith who forcibly entered a residence wielding a sword early Tuesday.
- Smith was charged with armed burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed kidnapping, and resisting without violence after the incident.
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies used a Taser device to safely apprehend a man wielding a sword who allegedly forced his way into an occupied residence early Tuesday.
According to an ACSO release sent Wednesday, deputies responded during the early morning hours to a residence in the 3400 block of NW 91st St. regarding a reported armed burglary. The caller reported that a man had forced his way into the home while armed with a sword and forced the occupants outside against their will.
When deputies arrived, they located the suspect, 26-year-old Josiah Smith, who was still holding the sword.
Deputy N. Johns attempted to establish a rapport with Smith, calmly asking for his name and instructing him to drop the weapon. Smith did not comply with deputies’ lawful commands to drop the sword or get on the ground.
Deputies then deployed a less-lethal launcher, firing a foam round at Smith in an attempt to get him to drop the sword. When that was unsuccessful, deputies deployed a Taser, allowing them to detain Smith safely.
The investigation determined that the victim and Smith did not know each other.
Smith was arrested and charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed kidnapping and resisting without violence.
Courtesy ACSO
Anybody bringing a sword along for a home invasion may be suffering from mental illness.
Props to the deputies for not immediately using lethal force.