The mother of a Florida high school softball player who was stabbed outside a Ponte Vedra restaurant on Saturday filed a complaint against the suspect a week prior to the incident, according to court documents.
Documents obtained by First Coast News indicate that Jacki Rogé filed an incident report after 18-year-old Spencer Pearson allegedly began harassing her daughter, Madison Schemitz, 17, following their breakup.
The accusation alleges that Spencer harassed Madison on social media, left notes on her car, and followed “her on her way to school.” Rogé also alleged that Pearson was grappling with mental health issues and previously made suicidal statements.
Rogé informed detectives that she told Pearson’s mother about it, who reportedly assured her that she would address it appropriately.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Pearson last week, for 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 on June 3, when Madison, Rogé, and a friend, Casey Estep, walked into the restaurant for lunch. Upon noticing Pearson, 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 arrest warrant also made mention of Pearson’s previous actions, stating that Madison broke up with the defendant in April, leading to him threatening her before the attack, although he had never acted on those threats until the incident.
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
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.”
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.
Meanwhile, Betty Griffin Center Community Educator Jeff Gatlin told First Coast News that although an injunction may have possibly helped the situation, it’s never guaranteed.
“It could have been prevented in that situation because they could have called law enforcement as soon as he would not be allowed to be on the same premises. Once that injunction for protection is filed, it’s just a piece of paper, but it allows our law enforcement to do their job,” Gatlin said.
“Our local sheriff, Sheriff Hardwick and his men and women, they have a very strong stance against dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.”
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Pearson and Madison/Handout]
