INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Two men appeared in court on Monday, suspected in a deadly robbery that happened on October 30. The victim was a father of three named Erik Schwartz. Schwartz’s friend calls the violence, “senseless,” and said the world lost a special individual.
“He was a one-of-a-kind, that’s for sure. He was one of those people that was there for you no matter what,” Michael Shawhan said.
Kind, helpful and hardworking is how Shawhan is remembers Schwartz, a friend of 28 years. Shawhan told FOX 4 that Schwartz was always on the go, even on his last day alive.
“He had worked hard that day. He had put in a 12-hour shift at work and then he went to help a friend, a girl we know, help her move some stuff,” Shawhan said.
Exhausted from the day, Shawhan said Schwartz fell asleep in his car, after eating some fast food.
“Which was totally Erik. That’s how he was. He’d fall asleep standing up. It was the craziest thing. He was always taking care of his kids. His kids were his life,” Shawhan said.
His fatigue the night of October 30th made him a prime target for robbers, according to court documents. 23-year old Charles Carr, and 19-year old Chad Terry have both been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Those documents say they pair had been looking for someone to rob, when they came across Schwartz sleeping in his car. One suspect allegedly took a package of cigarettes after shooting Schwartz in front of his childhood home on the 400 block of North Grand.
“I just hope that justice prevails and that they go to jail for the rest of their lives,” Shawhan said.
Schwartz is survived by several relatives including three children. Both Carr and Terry are being held on $250,000 bonds.
