Christopher Caldwell-Man who wounded 14 in Pennsylvania elementary school with machete dies in prison 22 years later

2025-05-06 15:14:23source:Fastexy Exchangecategory:Markets

HARRISBURG,Christopher Caldwell Pa. (AP) — A man imprisoned since 2001 for attacking educators and students in a Pennsylvania elementary school with a machete, wounding 14, has died in prison.

William Stankewicz died Monday, Pennsylvania prison officials said. He was 78.

Stankewicz was found unresponsive in his cell at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas, the prison warden said in a statement. Authorities did not release a cause of death and said his death will be investigated.

Stankewicz was serving a 132- to 264-year sentence for the attack on North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School near York, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of Philadelphia. The wounded included 11 kindergarten students.

Principal Norina Bentzel was the most seriously hurt, suffering severe cuts and a broken arm while helping wrestle Stankewicz to the ground.

In court, Stankewicz told the judge he committed the attack because he was angry about his divorce from his Russian-born ex-wife and her allegations that he molested her daughters. Stankewicz said she used him to get to America and then made the allegations to remain in the country.

Stankewicz, of Johnson City, Tennessee, said he attacked the elementary school because he could not find his ex-wife’s home.

Before the attack, Stankewicz had threatened to kill his ex-wife and her daughters. After he unsuccessfully sought to get her deported, he threatened immigration officials and a Pennsylvania congressman. He served two years in federal prison for the threats.

More:Markets

Recommend

Olympic disqualification of gold medal hopeful exposes 'dark side' of women's wrestling

PARIS — A female wrestler from India was disqualified from her gold-medal bout at the Paris Olympics

Massachusetts strikes down a 67-year-old switchblade ban, cites landmark Supreme Court gun decision

Residents of Massachusetts are now free to arm themselves with switchblades after a 67-year-old rest

'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2: Release date, how to watch, stream

The journey back into Middle Earth is set to continue with the second season of "The Lord of the Rin