Armed man shot, killed by Charlotte County deputies was on 68 medications, sheriff said

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Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to address a recent deputy-involved shooting that left one man dead.

According to Prummell, in a statement the night of the shooting, he said dispatchers received calls about a man walking up and down the 2600 block of Eager Road yelling, "Where are the cops at?" while shooting a gun into the air, on Thursday, Jan. 16, aorund 5 p.m.

During the news conference, Prummell released body cam video and details of events leading to the fatal shooting of Michael Lewis Schwartz, 53, who he said had a history of mental health issues.

Prummell said Schwartz, reportedly, suffered from bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.

Deputies initially had contact with Schwartz in Ictober and again on Jan. 12, regarding a fraud case involving a former neighbor. Previously, he had reported fraud, which was determined to be unfounded.

During both encounters, deputies say Schwartz displayed signs of paranoia and escalating agitation.

When deputies arrived on Jan 16, the day of the shooting, they said they saw Schwartz sitting in a chair on the porch of a home.

Deputies approached the home, and during the confrontation with Schwartz, they say he pulled out a 9mm handgun, cocked and ready to fire.

Deputies fired five rounds at Schwartz, hitting him three times.

Schwartz was reportedly under the influence of numerous medications at the time, with Prummell adding that Schwartz was on 68 medications.

Schwartz had writings on his wall, some of which threatened specific individuals, including a mention of intending to shoot a deputy. It remains undetermined if this incident was an instance of “suicide by cop”.

Neighbors and family members described Schwartz as erratic, living alone and exhibiting unstable behavior, according to CCSO.

No deputies were injured in the shooting.