Florida deputies taser sword-wielding burglary suspect, video shows

Police in Florida released tense body camera video showing the moment a sword-wielding burglary suspect was tased by deputies after allegedly refusing to drop the weapon.

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office said they responded early Tuesday in Gainesville after a "caller stated a man forced his way into their home with a sword, and they were forced outside against their will by the intruder."

"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," a deputy could be heard telling 26-year-old Josiah Smith as police arrived at the scene.

"Hey, we got him at gunpoint, he's not compliant, he keeps approaching," the deputy is then heard telling other officers.

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office released bodycam footage purportedly showing sword-wielding suspect Josiah Smith walking toward responding officers on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Alachua County Sheriff's Office)

"Josiah, throw the sword away, OK? Hey, stop, stop! Don't move, stop. Stop, stop!" the deputy eventually yells.

The bodycam footage then shows Smith falling backwards as he is tased by police.

Josiah Smith, 26, is seen in the moments before being tased by the deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Alachua County Sheriff's Office)

"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."

An investigation into the incident revealed that Smith and the alleged victim did not know each other, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office said Josiah Smith was wielding a sword. (Alachua County Sheriff's Office)

Smith was taken into custody and is now facing charges of armed burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed kidnapping and resisting without violence.