A Florida high school softball star is paralyzed after her ex-boyfriend allegedly stabbed her in a brutal public attack.
According to multiple reports, 17-year-old Madison Schemitz was stabbed 15 times at a Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant Saturday. Her alleged attacker, Spencer Ross Pearson, is her ex-boyfriend and had allegedly been stalking and harassing her since their relationship ended in April.
Pearson also allegedly stabbed Schemitz’s mother, Jackie Roge, when she tried to stop him. A bystander who rushed to help also suffered injuries before disarming the assailant.
Schemitz’s sister, Tatiana Cruceta, told First Coast News that the softball star is now paralyzed, although the family is optimistic she will recover. She has already undergone multiple surgeries. Schemitz’s mother also underwent surgery on her hand Monday.
“Madison is a fighter, you know,” Cruceta said. “She’s going to make it through this, and I know she is going to walk out of this hospital.”
“Madison’s the sweetest person you’ll ever meet, she’s always smiling, always,” Cruceta said. “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.”
Pearson cut his own throat after the attack, telling bystanders he wanted to end his life. According to First Coast News, he has been charged with two counts of first-degree attempted premeditated murder and aggravated battery.
Schemitz, a rising senior, plays softball for Ponte Vedra High School. Friends of the family have created a couple of GoFundMe accounts for the family. Members of the Jacksonville Jaguars have contributed to the funds.
Jacksonville Jaguars and many others have contributed to the GFM for Madison Schemitz.
The fundraiser has already brought in $105,000.
Madison is still fighting for her life, she was stabbed numerous times alongside her mother by an ex who had been harassing her since April. pic.twitter.com/ZMIk769dze
— Ｎｅｒｄｙ 🅰🅳🅳🅸🅲🆃 (@Nerdy_Addict) June 7, 2023
[First Coast News, Florida Times Union]
