Spencer Pearson is a 20-year-old former high school football star who was accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Madison Schemitz, and her mother in the parking lot of a Florida sports bar and restaurant. An arrest warrant was issued for him in June 2023 after the suspected attack. He managed to stab Schemitz 15 times, her mother in the forehead, and a bystander that tried to intervene before he sliced his own throat. Pearson appeared in court on November 22, 2024, for the alleged attack, showing the scars from the attempt on his life. He pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery, causing serious bodily injury.
The Attack
Pearson’s threats towards Schemitz were increasing and becoming more alarming after she broke up with him in April 2023. Schmeitz’s mother was in the process of obtaining a restraining order for her daughter against him before the attack. On the day of the incident, Schmeitz and her mom were dining at Mr. Chubby’s Wings in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, when they noticed Pearson sitting at a nearby table. They left in a hurry, but just seconds after leaving the restaurant, he charged at Schmeitz in the parking lot. He held her down with one arm while repeatedly stabbing her before turning to her mother.
Bystander Kennedy Armstrong was also in the parking lot when the attack occurred. He heard the women’s screams and ran directly towards Pearson to get him off Schemitz. Unfortunately, he was also stabbed in the arm during his attempt to help. Afterward, Pearson began to cut his own throat carefully. Schemitz suffered from deep cuts to her spine that left her paralyzed. She attended court the same day, showing she needed a cane to walk.
Spencer Pearson’s Court Appearance
Madison Schemitz testified at Pearson’s court hearing and gave an emotional testimony to the judge. She read, “June 3rd, 2023, was without a doubt the absolute worst, most traumatic day of my life. And I remember every single second of it.” She continued later, “Your honor, a 17-year-old girl should not have to know the feeling of getting stabbed. Your honor, I should not have to remember the feeling of my body being inflicted with the knife over and over again. … I remember the moment I realized I was paralyzed. I remember struggling to breathe and formulate words.”
Pearson’s father blamed the attack on the several head injuries that he sustained during his time playing football. He testified that his son had attempted to take his life once before, just after his break-up with Schemitz. His father also apologized to Schmeitz for his son’s actions. Pearson took the stand as well to apologize to the victims, saying, “I think of my terrible crimes committed every second of every day. It’s on my mind constantly, and this will never, ever change. … I can’t begin to imagine what I’ve put them through and the negative effects I’ve had on everyone involved. I understand the anger and hatred they all have for me.”
Final Thoughts
The attack on Schemitz and her mother is, without a doubt, a traumatic experience that no one should ever go through. It is terrible that she will be left with that memory for the rest of her life. No number of apologies will ever be able to make up for what Pearson did. Schmeitz’s mother showed no mercy when she took the stand and told him he deserved a life sentence for what he did to her daughter. St. Johns County Circuit Court Judge R. Lee Smith agreed with the victim’s statements and thought anything less than a life sentence would be unsuitable due to the nature of Spencer Pearson’s crimes.
