Good Samaritans stop Florida man accused of choking child at school bus stop with knife
Christopher Steven Schwable, 36, faces charges of aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. (WOFL-TV)
A Florida man who had been released from jail just days earlier is accused of choking a child and threatening bystanders with a knife at a school bus stop, an attack that was stopped by good Samaritans before police arrived, authorities said.
The DeLand Police Department arrested Christopher Steven Schwable, 36, on Tuesday after multiple witnesses reported seeing him grab a juvenile by the throat and later pull a folding knife during a confrontation with adults who stepped in, according to FOX 35 Orlando.
Witnesses told investigators that Schwable approached a group of children waiting for a school bus and assaulted one child, prompting an adult bystander to intervene after seeing the juvenile escape.
During the confrontation, Schwable allegedly pulled a knife from his sleeve and waved it toward others, leading the bystander to strike him with a toolbox and restrain him until officers arrived.
Christopher Steven Schwable, 36, of Pierson, Florida, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault. (Volusia County Corrections)
When police reached the scene, Schwable was found on the ground with a head injury, and officers recovered a knife beneath him, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by FOX 35.
The child suffered a cut to a finger and was visibly distraught, police said. The boy is a seventh grade student at Southwestern Middle School, a spokesperson with Volusia County schools confirmed to FOX 35.
School buses seen in a parking lot. (Ron Adar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB
The witness who was holding Schwable down told police he was driving when he saw Schwable choking the boy and feared the boy was in immediate danger. The witness made a U-turn to intervene. Not knowing if Schwable was armed, the witness grabbed his toolbox.
The witness said he hit Schwable twice with his toolbox in self-defense when Schwable held up a knife.
Schwable was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into jail on a $5,000 bond. He is charged with aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Schwable is currently homeless, officials said.
According to records, Christopher Schwable was arrested in December 2025 on charges of indecent exposure and possession of drug paraphernalia. He spent more than three weeks in jail before his release on Jan. 13. (Volusia County Corrections)
Jail and court records reviewed by FOX 35 show Schwable had been released from custody on Jan. 13, after prosecutors dropped unrelated charges including indecent exposure and possession of drug paraphernalia following three weeks in jail.
SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER
Authorities have not said whether Schwable knew the child. He remains in custody as the investigation continues. Fox News Digital has reached out to the DeLand Police Department for comment.
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
