William Michael Stankewicz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1945 Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Criminal charge | Attempted murder |
| Penalty | 132 to 264 years in prison |
William Michael Stankewicz (1945 – November 27, 2023) was an American teacher who attacked educators and children at North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, in 2001. Stankewicz attacked 11 kindergarteners, two teachers , and the principal with a machete.
Stankewicz said he attacked the victims because he was angry about the failure of his marriage six years earlier, and allegations he had molested his stepdaughters.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Principal Norina Bentzel stopped the attack by jumping on Stankewicz and pinning him down, despite having been severely injured by hits from the machete.[5]
On February 2, 2001, Stankewicz drove from his home in Johnson City, Tennessee, to York County. Along the way, he tried to buy a gun but failed the mandatory background check.[5]
On November 27, 2023, Stankewicz was found unresponsive in his cell at State Correctional Institution – Dallas and was subsequently declared dead. He was 78.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ Cadiz, Laura (February 5, 2001). "Ex-wife says she feared man accused in Pa. school attack". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ "Marital troubles of suspect recalled - tribunedigital-baltimoresun". Articles.baltimoresun.com. February 4, 2001. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
- ^ "Reading Eagle - Google News Archive Search". January 25, 2013. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
- ^ "Beaver County Times - Google News Archive Search". January 24, 2013. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Image Viewer". www.ydr.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ [1] Archived September 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Halpin, Jim (November 27, 2023). "Notorious school machete attacker William Stankewicz dies in prison". York Daily Record. Retrieved November 27, 2023.