A “Good Samaritan” has been praised for their quick thinking, which prevented a 13-year-old from what could have been a fatal incident.
The man, whose name wasn’t provided, informed officers that he was driving past the scene when he noticed a man assaulting a teenager whom he recognized. He immediately executed a U-turn, stopped his vehicle, and exited to intervene, according to 6 WECT.
The family of the victim expressed their gratitude toward the good Samaritan who saw the event and stepped in to help.
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Fernise Fertil described how her brother, while waiting for his school bus in DeLand on the morning of January 20, was randomly attacked by a homeless man. The suspect was later identified by police as Christopher Steven Schwable, a 36-year-old man.
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The victim’s account of the frightening event was captured on video by a DeLand Police body camera.
“I see this guy walking down the sidewalk. He approaches me and starts saying some stuff that I didn’t understand, and then, he grabbed me and pulled his knife out,” the teenager recalled. “He tried hitting me and punching me a bunch.”
Fertil expressed profound gratitude for the man who intervened, saying she was “very thankful for the guy that was able to help him out before we were able to get out there.”
Fortunately, her brother wasn’t harmed in the attack.
The victim, a seventh-grade student at Southwestern Middle School, was visibly upset and sustained a cut to a finger during the incident, according to police and a spokesperson for Volusia County schools, as reported by Fox 35.
However, she noted that the incident has left him shaken, and as a result, he will not be taking the school bus again in the near future.
“He’s feeling a little better but probably a little paranoid because it was unprovoked,” she told 6 WECT.
Police stated that the footage also captured the good Samaritan who intervened to help the teen. After the teen successfully fled to safety, Schwable reportedly drew a knife on the good Samaritan. The man, whose name wasn’t provided, informed the police that he struck Schwable with a toolbox and restrained him until the officers arrived.
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According to the arrest affidavit obtained by Fox 35, officers discovered Schwable lying on the ground with a head injury when they arrived at the scene, and a knife was recovered from underneath him.
Schwable faces charges of aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault for allegedly attacking the 13-year-old boy.
After getting medical help at a hospital, Schwable was then locked up in jail. His bail was set at $5,000. He was scheduled to reappear in court on January 22.
The suspect, released from jail only a week before the alleged attack on the 13-year-old, had a history of charges. Court documents show he was arrested in December for indecent exposure and possession of drug paraphernalia, but the prosecutor later dropped these charges.
Following the incident, Volusia County Schools released a statement confirming their close collaboration with law enforcement and local governments.
They announced plans to boost surveillance at school bus stops throughout the community.
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