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Four people have been hospitalized following an attack in front of a Florida restaurant in Ponte Vedra Beach Saturday after the ex-boyfriend of a high school softball star stabbed both her and her mother before attacking a bystander, then slashing his own throat, according to police.
An arrest warrant issued by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office indicates that 18-year-old Spencer Pearson is currently charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated assault, News 4 Jax reports.
Pearson was seated at a nearby table at Mr. Chubby’s Wings restaurant off of Valley Circle Saturday afternoon, when 17-year-old Madison Schemitz, her mother, Jackie Rogue, and a friend, Casey Estep, walked into the restaurant for lunch.
Upon noticing Pearson’s presence, they attempted to avoid any interaction with him and left.
Pearson is accused of following the trio outside, where he began stabbing Madison in the arm. When her mother tried to intervene, Pearson allegedly stabbed her, too, before a bystander stepped in to help. Pearson allegedly stabbed the bystander before turning the knife on himself and cutting his own throat.
The incident unfolded after Pearson allegedly engaged in persistent harassment and stalking toward Madison. The arrest warrant states that Madison broke up with the defendant in April, leading to Pearson threatening her with violence before the attack.
Madison is now recovering in the hospital, along with her mother, the bystander, and Pearson.
“This incident was a targeted attack by Pearson who was known to the primary victim,” the sheriff’s office said. “Two other individuals were injured when they intervened to render aid to the primary victim. All parties involved were transported to local area hospitals with serious injuries sustained from sharp force trauma.”
Madison’s sister, Tatiana Cruceta, told First Coast News that Madison is a “fighter” and a star softball player at Ponte Vedra High School, who had been avoiding Pearson following the breakup.
“Madison is a fighter, you know. She’s going to make it through this, and I know she is going to walk out of this hospital,” she said.
“There were some issues in the past after they’d broken up, where he was threatening her safety. My mother was looking to get a restraining order against him, so this was definitely premeditated.”
So far, according to her sister, Madison has undergone several surgeries, while Rogue had surgery for a ruptured artery in her hand. Both are now in stable condition. The bystander that stepped in to help, according to police, is also in stable condition.
As far as Pearson, police reiterated that, “should the suspect survive his self-inflicted injuries, he will be charged with multiple felony charges, including attempted murder.”
Meanwhile, Friends of Schemitz’s mother created a GoFundMe page to help with medical costs. Friends of the teen’s father created an additional GoFundMe page to raise funds for the family.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Pearson and Madison/Handout]
