The Madison Schemitz lawsuit is a civil complaint filed on November 21, 2024, in St. Johns County, Florida, by Schemitz and her mother, Jaclyn Rogé, against Spencer Pearson, his parents Dan and Tonya Pearson, and the restaurant Mr. Chubby’s Wings (named as Chubby’s Wings PVB and Chubby’s Group LLC). The suit alleges that Pearson’s parents negligently gave him the engraved knife he used and ignored warnings about his stalking and mental-health crisis, and that the restaurant failed to protect Schemitz and her mother when they alerted staff that Pearson was inside. Attorney John Phillips represents the plaintiffs, and the complaint seeks unspecified damages.1First Coast News. Madison Schemitz and Mother File Lawsuit Against Spencer Pearson, His Parents, and Chubby’s Wings
What Happened Before the Lawsuit
Schemitz, then 17, and Rogé went to Mr. Chubby’s Wings in Ponte Vedra Beach on June 3, 2023. When they saw Spencer Pearson, Schemitz’s ex-boyfriend, inside the restaurant, they tried to leave. Pearson followed them into the parking lot, held Schemitz down, and stabbed her 17 times with a large knife engraved with his personal information. Rogé was stabbed in the forehead, hand, and leg while trying to intervene.2State Attorney’s Office, 7th Judicial Circuit. State of Florida v. Spencer Pearson
Schemitz’s wounds lacerated her spinal cord, collapsed both lungs, and left her temporarily paralyzed from the chest down. Pearson and Schemitz had dated about six months and broken up in April 2023; prosecutors say he spent the two months between the breakup and the attack stalking her and harassing her online.2State Attorney’s Office, 7th Judicial Circuit. State of Florida v. Spencer Pearson
Pearson pleaded guilty in July 2024 to two counts of attempted first-degree murder with a weapon and one count of aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury. On November 22, 2024, one day after the civil suit was filed, Judge Lee R. Smith sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus a 30-year concurrent sentence.3News4Jax. Sentencing Hearing for Man Who Stabbed Ex-Girlfriend, Her Mom Outside Ponte Vedra Beach Restaurant
Claims Against Dan and Tonya Pearson
The central allegation against Spencer’s parents is that they gave their son the knife used in the attack while he was still a minor, and that the knife was engraved with his personal information. The complaint asserts this violated Florida Statute 790.17, which prohibits giving weapons other than ordinary pocketknives to minors or persons of unsound mind.4News4Jax. Teen, Mother File Lawsuit Against Ex-Boyfriend, His Parents, Restaurant Over Stabbing Attack
The complaint goes further, alleging the parents knew their son was in crisis and did nothing. According to the filing, Rogé repeatedly warned Dan and Tonya Pearson after the April 2023 breakup about Spencer’s online harassment, in-person surveillance, and threats against Schemitz’s friends. Spencer had experienced both homicidal and suicidal thoughts and was hospitalized for five days in April 2023, weeks before the attack. The suit says he also posted a Snapchat photo of himself with a necktie around his neck simulating a suicide attempt, and a TikTok comment reading, “Y’all gonna get yours,” and that his parents were aware of this behavior.5SJ Citizen. Madison Schemitz and Her Mother Sue Spencer Pearson’s Parents and Restaurant
The complaint also frames a financial-enablement theory. It alleges the parents paid for Spencer’s truck, phone, gas, and spending money, calling them “indirectly culpable” for supplying the tools he used to stalk Schemitz. Despite Rogé’s warnings, the suit says, the parents provided no “proper or reasonable response” to the menacing behavior.5SJ Citizen. Madison Schemitz and Her Mother Sue Spencer Pearson’s Parents and Restaurant Dan and Tonya Pearson have not publicly responded to the allegations.
Claims Against Mr. Chubby’s Wings
The lawsuit alleges the restaurant failed to provide adequate security. Schemitz and Rogé say they alerted staff to Pearson’s presence and the danger he posed, but no employee called police or tried to intervene. When the two women rushed out to escape, the complaint says, Pearson was allowed to follow them “unimpeded,” with no one at the restaurant attempting to stall or stop him.1First Coast News. Madison Schemitz and Mother File Lawsuit Against Spencer Pearson, His Parents, and Chubby’s Wings
On the duty-of-care question, the suit alleges the restaurant should have taken reasonable precautions to protect patrons from foreseeable criminal attacks, citing previous criminal or violent acts at or near the establishment as evidence that such a risk was foreseeable.4News4Jax. Teen, Mother File Lawsuit Against Ex-Boyfriend, His Parents, Restaurant Over Stabbing Attack The complaint also accuses the restaurant of failing to warn customers, screen for weapons, or otherwise prevent patrons from bringing weapons inside.6WOKV. Madison Schemitz, Her Mother File Lawsuit Against Spencer Pearson, His Parents, Mr. Chubby’s Wings No public response from Mr. Chubby’s Wings has been reported.
Claims Against Spencer Pearson
Alongside his criminal conviction, Pearson is named as a civil defendant for intentionally causing emotional distress to the plaintiffs through stalking, harassment, threats, and the attack itself.4News4Jax. Teen, Mother File Lawsuit Against Ex-Boyfriend, His Parents, Restaurant Over Stabbing Attack
Who Is Not a Plaintiff
Kennedy Armstrong, the 22-year-old restaurant manager who tackled Pearson in the parking lot and suffered a severed artery and nerve damage to his right hand, is not a plaintiff in the civil case. He was later awarded the Carnegie Medal along with Rogé for his intervention.7Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. Kennedy Armstrong
Status of the Case
The civil lawsuit remains in its early stages, with no motions or settlement activity publicly disclosed. Spencer Pearson is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.3News4Jax. Sentencing Hearing for Man Who Stabbed Ex-Girlfriend, Her Mom Outside Ponte Vedra Beach Restaurant