A Georgia father is speaking out after his 18-year-old son, JT Schroeder, was fatally stabbed at a Walmart on Whitemarsh Island late last month — allegedly by a man who had already served time for a similar violent attack but was released early.
Police say 48-year-old Delano Middleton stabbed the teen after an alleged dispute over a shopping cart. Schroeder was rushed to the hospital but died four days later from his injuries.
Middleton’s violent history has sparked outrage in the community. According to WTOC, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2021 after repeatedly stabbing a woman in a grocery store parking lot during an unprovoked attack. Despite the brutality of that case, Middleton was released early and placed on probation in 2023.
On October 22, 2021, Erica Young says that day has forever impacted her life, causing her to flee the state with her children. (Source: WTOC)
The victim’s father, JT Schroeder Sr., rejected claims that his son instigated the confrontation.
“My son was never, ever confrontational unless he was confronted first,” he said.
A family GoFundMe described the younger JT as “a precious 18-year-old” taken far too soon.
“He filled every room with warmth, laughter, and light,” the message read. “A devoted dad himself one day in the making — a young man who mirrored his father’s kindness and love.”
GoFundMe
One of Middleton’s previous victims, Erica Young, said the tragedy could have been prevented if authorities had kept him behind bars.
“The system failed that kid’s family,” Young told WTOC. “If they had done their job in my case — or the other cases, because there were others — he wouldn’t have been on the streets to hurt a child.”
Young recounted that she was trying to help Middleton find his car when he suddenly attacked her.
“I asked if he needed help finding his vehicle, and he shoved a cart onto me and just started stabbing,” she said.
Local residents and victims’ advocates are now demanding accountability from the justice system, saying Middleton’s early release cost an innocent young man his life.
