Man accused of wielding knife during a fight in Punta Gorda

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. —

A man was arrested Monday in Punta Gorda after being accused of assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to reports of a physical disturbance in the area of West Marion Avenue and Taylor Street around 7 p.m.

At the scene, deputies spoke to the victim, who said a man, later identified as Matthew Schnitzel, 41, had threatened him with a knife and taken his phone. Schnitzel had already left the scene when deputies arrived.

CCSO said the incident began when the victim and his friend were riding their e-bikes on the sidewalk from the Tiki Bar side of Harborwalk to the other side of the northbound bridge to Laishley.

The victim and his friend honked their horns at Schnitzel to try to get him to move out of the way. The victim said this resulted in Schnitzel calling them slurs, CCSO said.

The victim and his friend then left that location and continued on to the other side of Harborwalk, when they noticed Schnitzel approaching them, according to CCSO.

The victim and Schnitzel got into a verbal argument as they walked toward each other. Upon getting closer, the victim was made aware by his friend that Schnitzel had a knife. The victim backed away and began recording Schnitzel on his phone, CCSO said.

Schnitzel then took the victim's phone and threatened to throw it into the water, according to CCSO. The victim attempted to get his phone back, which led to a fight with Schnitzel, who attempted to stab the victim, the CCSO said.

Schnitzel then arrived at the scene and was questioned by deputies. Schnitzel stated multiple times that he did not have a knife during the altercation, but deputies had seen video on the victim's phone, which proved he did, CCSO said.

Schnitzel was arrested and faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill.

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