Star Softball Player, 17, Paralyzed After Ex-Boyfriend Allegedly Stabs Her at Florida Restaurant
According to police, an acclaimed softball player from a high school was allegedly stabbed multiple times by her ex-boyfriend, leaving her paralyzed.
According to an arrest warrant issued by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer Ross Pearson has been charged with two counts of attempted premeditated murder and one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing permanent disability.It’s unclear if he entered a plea to the charges or retained an attorney to comment on his behalf.
Authorities say Pearson, 18, allegedly stabbed several victims outside a Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., restaurant Saturday. According to the Florida Times-Union, loved ones identified two of the victims as Madison Schemitz and her mother, Jaclyn “Jacki” Roge. Madison, 17, and Roge, 43, met up with friends at Mr. Chubby’s Wings over the weekend, where they spotted Pearson seated at a nearby table, the warrant reads.
Madison and her mom left the restaurant to avoid Pearson and were allegedly attacked seconds later in the parking lot.
Pearson allegedly assaulted the teen from behind, held her down and proceeded to stab her approximately 15 times, according to authorities, citing a witness.”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.” Cruceta told the outlet, adding that Madison has already undergone multiple surgeries.
“Madison’s the sweetest person you’ll ever meet, she’s always smiling, always,” Cruceta added. “So as soon as I answered the phone – we all call her ‘Sass,’ that’s her nickname – so I said, ‘How you doin, Sass, how you feelin?’ And she goes, ‘Oh just dandy.’ So, she was cracking jokes and trying to be strong.”
Madison and the suspect were previously in a relationship. In April 2023, he allegedly began to stalk and harass Madison following their breakup, say authorities.
“There were some issues in the past after they’d broken up, where he was threatening her safety,” Cruseda said, per the outlet. “My mother was looking to get a restraining order against him, so this was definitely premeditated.”
