Photo for Headline Surfer / A standoff near Howland Boulevard and State Road 415 in Volusia County led to the apprehension of John Schmalz-Riedt, 65, following a three-hour stand-off late Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, on a charge of second-degree murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in the 3:15 p.m. Sunday shooting death of a woman on Conrad Court in Altamonte Springs. The victim, pronounced dead at the scene, has not yet been named by police.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Altamonte Springs cops responded to the shooting death of woman Sunday afternoon; a man later in the day was arrested and charged with murdering her. charged with murdering her.
Here is a synopsis of what occurred on Sunday Aug. 23, 2026, at approximately 3:15 pm: Officers with the Altamonte Springs Police Department responded to a residence on Conrad Court, where they located an unresponsive adult woman suffering from a gunshot wound.
The Seminole County Fire Department also responded and provided emergency medical aid; however, the woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.
During the investigation, John Schmalz-Riedt, 65, was identified as a person of interest.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the Altamonte Springs Police Department worked with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, which located Schmalz-Riedt near Howland Boulevard and State Road 415 in Volusia County.
Following a standoff during which he barricaded himself in his truck with a gun, Schmalz-Riedt, 65, was taken into custody. Through the course of the investigation, detectives developed probable cause to establish Schmalz-Riedt’s involvement in the woman’s death.
Following a standoff during which he barricaded himself in his truck with a gun, John Schmalz-Riedt 65, was taken into custody. Through the course of the investigation, detectives developed probable cause to establish Schmalz-Riedt’s involvement in the woman’s death.
Schmalz-Riedt was arrested and charged with second-degree murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was transported to the Volusia County Jail for processing and is being held without bond.
If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, please call the Altamonte Springs Police Department at 407-339-2441 or dial 9-1-1. Anonymous tips may also be called into Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).
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