William Michael Stankewicz

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.

Principal Norina Bentzel stopped the attack by jumping on Stankewicz and pinning him down, despite having been severely injured by hits from the machete.

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.

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.