Florida Deputies Tase Sword-Wielding Burglary Suspect on Video

Florida authorities have released tense body camera footage showing deputies tasing a sword-wielding burglary suspect who allegedly refused repeated orders to drop the weapon.

Deputies with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded early Tuesday to a Gainesville home after a caller reported that a man had forced his way inside while carrying a sword. The occupants were allegedly driven outside against their will by the intruder.

As deputies arrived, one officer could be heard addressing 26-year-old Josiah Smith: “Hey, brother, do me a favor, drop the sword. Drop the sword on the ground, my man. Let me talk to you, OK? It’s the sheriff’s office.”

The deputy then warned other officers that Smith was continuing to advance. “Hey, we got him at gunpoint, he’s not compliant, he keeps approaching,” the officer said.

As Smith continued to disregard commands, the deputy shouted, “Josiah, throw the sword away, OK? Hey, stop, stop! Don’t move, stop. Stop, stop!”

The video then captures Smith falling backward after deputies deployed a Taser.

“Smith was non-compliant with deputies’ lawful commands, refusing to drop the sword or get on the ground. Deputies used a less lethal launcher, shooting a foam round at Smith in order to get him to drop the sword,” the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office said. “Unsuccessful, deputies deployed a taser, and Smith was detained.”

The sheriff’s office said its investigation determined that Smith and the alleged victim were strangers to one another.

Smith was arrested and faces charges of armed burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed kidnapping and resisting without violence.