A machete attack in Pennsylvania left two women and a service dog dead, while another woman was critically injured, authorities say.
The violent incident took place on the sixth floor of the Hotel Jermyn Apartments on Tuesday, Dec. 9, according to reports from WNEP, WVIA News, and Cleveland 19 News, citing the Scranton Police Department.
Police Chief Thomas Carroll described the scene, saying, “Callers reported screams, visible blood, with one caller identifying herself as a victim. Many patrol officers arrived very quickly.”
The suspect, 38-year-old Michael Woods, was arrested as he tried to flee the scene. Authorities said he was wearing blood-stained clothing and was carrying a bloody machete when apprehended, according to Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher.
The victims who died were a 61-year-old woman and a 59-year-old woman. The surviving victim, 66, suffered severe injuries, including a nearly severed hand and a deep chest wound. Gallagher confirmed that all three women and Woods were residents of the apartment building.
Security footage reportedly shows Woods leaving his apartment and walking down the hallway with a machete before the attack, Gallagher said. “This was a gruesome, reprehensible and senseless act of violence where three women and a service dog were attacked,” he added. “The vast majority of this incident… is all on video surveillance, and it is horrific to watch.”
Police say Woods allegedly told them he smoked the hallucinogenic drug PCP earlier in the day, though this detail has not yet been confirmed as the investigation continues. The relationship between Woods and the victims has also not been disclosed.
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 Lackawanna County Prison and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 23.
thedailycrime1
Come on people give him the Death Penalty! He killed 2 people. Why feed and cloth this murderer for life on the tax payers.
Trashyblack POS!
Were the victims white?
I wonder what Joy Reid would call this.Remember she thinks Jungle Bells is racist
Judge will let him out on time serve.