Mental health history revealed in Charlotte County deputy-involved shooting incident
A quiet neighborhood on Eager Road in Charlotte County turned into a scene of chaos Thursday night.
Residents say 53-year-old Michael Schwartz was walking through the area, pointing a handgun at neighbors and firing shots into the air.
One neighbor told 911, “He kept saying, ‘Where are the cops?’ He was just mad.”
When deputies arrived, Schwartz aimed his gun at one of them. Gunshots followed as deputies scattered and returned fire.
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell revealed Schwartz’s family told investigators he was suffering from severe mental health issues.
“I believe the sister told us that he was a paranoid schizophrenic,” Sheriff Prummell said. “We haven’t been able to verify this through our physician, but based on the medication, this sounds accurate.”
The sheriff’s office reports Schwartz was on 68 medications with 8 different providers and had scribbled writings on his wall, including a threat directed at a deputy.
Officials are investigating whether Schwartz’s actions were an attempt at “suicide by cop.”
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Chris Hall emphasized the importance of mental health resources in preventing tragedies.
Sheriff Prummell advocates for better mental health services through the department’s IRIS program — Integrated Response for Intervention and Support.
The program connects individuals in crisis to critical mental health resources.
“If you know somebody struggling with mental health,” Hall said, “You can reach out and say, ‘Hey, this person needs some additional resources or help.’ We’d rather get that call than respond the way we did.”
Typically, when a deputy responds to a call and encounters a subject that could benefit from additional mental health-related services, they would refer that person to the IRIS program.
If you or someone you know has inquiries on how to benefit from the IRIS program, CCSO says you can contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line.