Outpouring of love for Ponte Vedra stabbing victims

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — There’s an outpouring of love and support from Ponte Vedra for the family of Madison Schemitz.

Action News Jax first reported Saturday when Schemitz and her mother were stabbed outside Mr. Chubby’s Wings restaurant.

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Schemitz’s friends say all the love and support are so well deserved. The Schemitz family are just good people in society.

“She is just the definition of a good friend,” Schemitz’s teammate, Alyssa James said. “Everyone loves her.”

James has known Schemitz since 6th grade, and now they are rising seniors. They both play softball at Ponte Vedra High School.

And now James and her teammates are showing their support on and off the field. James is selling keychains that say, “Madison Strong.’

“She will be so nice to you, and she is always there for you,” James said. “That’s why I did this because she’s always there for me so I have to do something back for her.”

James partnered with Locally Yours to create the keychains. They have already sold more than 170.

Between the two GoFundMe’s created for Madison Schemitz, more than $100,000 dollars has been raised.

“I’m not shocked at all,” Kennedy Armstrong’s friend, Jame Stepp said. “It’s overwhelming and outstanding, to say the least. I’m so happy and I’m so proud of everyone around this area.”

Armstrong saved Schemitz and her mom. Stepp was with Armstrong, witnessing the attack.

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Schemitz’s friends said the suspect – Spencer Pearson and Schemitz had recently broken up. And the warrant says he started harassing her in April.

“All of her friends actually blocked him on everything,” James said. “And he had nothing of her.”

They said they never thought he would try to kill her. Now, Schemitz is fighting for her life and Pearson is charged with two counts of attempted murder.

But James has words of encouragement for Schemitz.

“I would tell her that she’s amazing and that she’s strong enough to push through and that everyone loves her and that she has a lot of support behind her,” James said.

Kennedy Armstrong’s family owns the Barbara Jeans on the Water restaurant. And one of the employees created a GoFundMe for him.

The Jacksonville Jaguars is the top donor for Armstrong’s fundraiser. They made a $5,000 contribution.

When I reached out to Armstrong’s mom, she told me he went to UF Health for hand surgery today. She says he is recovering well.

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