Man Shot by Orange City Police Convicted, Faces Up to 30 Years

An Orange City man who was shot by police officers in January has been convicted on three charges. 54-year-old Michael Smith was found guilty of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, resisting an officer with violence, and display of a weapon during the commission of a felony. The incident in question took place on January 27, 2026. Smith was said to have been seen on a sidewalk near a shopping complex with a stab wound in his neck. An officer with the Orange City Police Department responded to provide him assistance. The officer reportedly saw that Smith had a knife in his hands. Commands were given for Smith to drop the knife. At this point, Smith was said to have made ‘aggressive movements’ at the officer while holding the knife. Minutes later Smith ran away from the officer, still holding the knife. He was hit with a taser, but his jacket apparently contained the probes. Smith then reportedly walked into a bank. As he was doing so the officer fired a shot into Smith’s lower back. He was said to have continued walking into the bank with the knife, but he was taken into custody as other officers arrived on-scene. Smith later recovered from his injuries in the hospital. He’s been held continuously at the Volusia County Branch Jail since Feburary 13, 2026 with no bond. Smith’s sentencing is scheduled for October 21, 2026. He faces up to 30 years in prison. After his conviction following a one-day trial, the jury also found that Smith is a habitual felony offender. This is due to a 1994 conviction for second degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in Marion County, for which he was sentenced to 27 years.