Deadly Crystal River deputy-involved shooting

The incident began at approximately 4.53 p.m. Surveillance video from the BP gas station on U.S. Highway 19 shows Mr. Schwartz involved in a verbal altercation with a woman who had arrived with him. Witnesses then observed Mr. Schwartz place the woman in what appeared to be a chokehold and forcefully move her across the street into a neighboring parking lot while holding a dog on a leash. At 4:56 p.m., our communications center received a report of a man armed with a knife ...holding a woman hostage and walking westbound along Highway 19. Cell phone video captured by witnesses shows several bystanders attempting to de-escalate the situation while Mr. Schwartz continued holding the woman in a threatening manner. At one point, he charged toward one of the individuals trying to intervene, causing that person to draw a legally carried concealed firearm. Mr. Schwartz then moved across the parking lot, using the victim as a shield and forcing her to the ground while holding the knife within inches of her head. All of this was occurring while being held at gunpoint by the armed citizen. When deputies arrived, they immediately began issuing loud, repeated commands for Mr. Schwartz to drop the knife and release the victim. Drop my drop it! Despite those commands, he continued holding the victim at knife point, Creating immediate concern for the victim's life. With no response from the suspect to withdraw, after repeated commands, deputies discharged their firearms. Once Mr. Schwartz was incapacitated, deputies quickly moved in to remove the victim from danger, secure the knife, and begin life-saving measures. 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.