| William Michael Stankewicz | |
| Birth Place: | Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Jackson Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Charge: | Attempted murder |
| Conviction Penalty: | 132 to 264 years in prison |
| Conviction Status: | Deceased |
| Occupation: | Teacher |
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 the State Correctional Institution – Dallas and was subsequently declared dead. He was 78.[7]