Two women (ages 61 and 59) and a service dog were killed in a machete attack at the Hotel Jermyn Apartments in Scranton, PA, on Dec. 9. A 66-year-old woman was critically injured and remains hospitalized with severe wounds. Police arrested 38-year-old Michael Woods as he tried to flee, allegedly wearing blood-stained clothing and carrying a machete; much of the incident was reportedly captured on surveillance video. Woods faces multiple homicide and assault charges and is held without bail pending a Dec. 23 preliminary hearing.
Machete Attack in Scranton: Two Women and Service Dog Killed, Third Woman Critically Injured
Scranton Police Department; WNEP/YouTubeMichael Woods is accused of stabbing three women in a Pennsylvania apartment on Dec. 9
Two women and a service dog were killed and a third woman was critically injured in a machete attack at the Hotel Jermyn Apartments in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, authorities said.
Scranton Police Department investigators say the stabbings occurred on the sixth floor of the building. Multiple callers to emergency services reported screams and visible blood at the scene, and officers arrived quickly, Police Chief Thomas Carroll said.
"Callers reported screams, visible blood, with one caller identifying herself as a victim. Many patrol officers arrived very quickly," Chief Carroll said, according to local reports.
Lackawanna County prosecutors identified the suspect as Michael Woods, 38. Police say Woods was detained as he attempted to flee the building wearing blood-stained clothing and clutching a machete, Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher told reporters. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Woods leaving his apartment and walking down the hallway with the weapon before the attacks.
Scranton Police DepartmentSuspect Michael Woods
The two people who died were women aged 61 and 59. The surviving victim, a 66-year-old woman, remains hospitalized with severe injuries; detectives said her hand was nearly severed from her arm and she sustained a serious chest wound from an apparent stabbing.
"This was a gruesome, reprehensible and senseless act of violence where three women and a service dog were attacked," Gallagher said, adding that much of the incident was captured on surveillance video.
Woods has told investigators he smoked the hallucinogenic drug phencyclidine (PCP) earlier the same day, according to reports; prosecutors say that allegation has not yet been independently verified and the investigation is ongoing.
Woods has been charged with two counts of criminal homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of attempted criminal homicide and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. He is being held without bail at the Lackawanna County Prison and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 23. The exact relationship between the suspect and the victims has not been publicly disclosed.
Local outlets that reported details from the Scranton Police Department include WNEP, WVIA and Cleveland 19 News. People involved in the case have urged anyone with additional information or relevant footage to contact investigators. Authorities caution that portions of the surveillance footage are graphic.
