Suspect fatally shot when he was holding a woman, dog hostage at knife point
By: -----
Crystal River, FL - Deputies were called to the area of Northeast Crystal in Crystal River over a man holding a woman captive at knife point along Highway 19.
Surveillance video captured from a BP gas station at 4:56 p.m. showed the suspect, 37-year-old Joshua Aaron Schwartz, getting into an argument with the female victim, who arrived with him.
“Witnesses then observed Mr. Schwartz place the woman in what appeared to be a chokehold, and forcefully moved her across the street into a neighboring parking lot while holding a dog on a leash,” Vincent said.
The sheriff said several witnesses tried to de-escalate the situation, but Schwartz continued to threaten the woman and charged at one of them. The person then drew their legally concealed gun and held Schwartz at gunpoint until deputies arrived, all while the suspect’s knife was inches away from her head.
Body cam video showed deputies yelling at Schwartz to drop the knife when they arrived at the scene.
“Put the knife down!” the deputies shouted. “Drop the knife!”
With the suspect refusing to follow repeated commands, the deputies fired on Schwartz out of concern for the woman’s life.
“Once Mr. Schwartz was incapacitated, deputies quickly moved in to remove the victim from danger, secure the knife, and begin life-saving measures,” Vincent said. “Mr. Schwartz was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The victim was also transported for medical evaluation. Fortunately, she was cleared of any physical injuries and released. I’m grateful that the victim survived this incident and that none of the deputies were injured.”