Disturbing similarities between the stabbing and murder of 13-year-old cheerleader Tristyn Bailey by Madison Schemitz two years earlier
A horrific attack on a high school student has stirred up haunting memories of another brutal knife attack that killed a teenager from the same county two years ago.
According to her family, rising senior and star softball player Madison Schemitz, 17, was paralyzed after suffering a spinal cord injury in an attack on Saturday.
5
5
5
The student’s ex-boyfriend, 18-year-old Spencer Pearson, has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree first-degree murder and aggravated assault.
He is currently hospitalized with self-inflicted injuries after cutting his throat during the horror ordeal. First Coastal News reported.
The attack happened outside a restaurant called Mr. Chubby’s Wings in Ponte Vedra Beach, a suburb of St. Johns County in North Florida.
CHILLING SIMILARITIES
This weekend’s stabbing was followed two years ago by another brutal attack on youth from the same county.
On May 9, 2021, 13-year-old cheerleader Tristyn Bailey was stabbed 114 times by her classmate Aiden Fucci.
In the Bailey case, Fucci confessed to the murder in court and received a life sentence in March 2023.
The two teenagers knew each other and Tristyn’s body was found with “Karma” written on her ankle, leading viewers to question whether the stabbing was motivated by revenge.
A motive was never mentioned in court.
Aiden’s mother, Crystal Smith, 35, was arrested on June 5, 2022 for alleged evidence tampering following the assassination.
Smith was sentenced to 30 days in prison and five years probation on charges of evidence tampering.
Meanwhile, Schemitz’s family said the teenage girl and her alleged attacker had been in a relationship but had broken off.
Disturbing story
According to First Coast News, Pearson allegedly began stalking and harassing Schemitz in April.
The teen’s eldest sister, Tatiana Cruceta, said, “After their split, there have been a few issues in the past where he threatened their safety.”
“My mother wanted to get a restraining order against him, so it was definitely premeditated.”
Police documents obtained by First Coast News showed mother Jacki had filed a complaint against the suspect less than a week before the attack.
The mother told the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office that Pearson was acting “odd” around Schemitz, following her to school and leaving notes on her car.
Pearson was also accused of harassing Schemitz on social media, which included creating fake accounts to contact her after she blocked him.
Schemitz’s mother told officers that Pearson had not made any credible threats toward the teen at the time.
‘A FIGHTER’
Schemitz’s eldest sister said that while her sister is currently paralyzed, the family is confident that she will recover.
“Madison is a fighter, you know. She will get through this and I know she will get out of this hospital,” Cruceta said.
She also noted that the teenager has had multiple surgeries and is a really strong girl.
“Madison is the sweetest person you will ever meet. She’s always smiling, always,” Cruceta said.
“When I answered the phone, we all called her ‘Sass,’ which is her nickname.
“I said, ‘How are you Sass, how are you feeling?’ And she says, “Oh, just great.”
“So she was joking and trying to be strong.”
“Madison is a fighter, you know. She will get through this and I know she will get out of this hospital.”
5
5