DailyKenn.com | AbateHate.com | Facebook Group
Summary: On December 9, 2025, Michael Willie Marquis Woods, 38, allegedly attacked three residents with a machete in a Scranton senior apartment building. Linda P. Fortuna, 61, and Terry M. Muller, 59, a U.S. veteran, were killed, along with Muller’s 18-month-old service dog, Nayla. Marilyn Joan Waller, 66, remains in critical condition. Woods faces homicide and related charges.
Your $8 monthly partner pledge helps us reach others & more ►
SCRANTON, Pa. — A 38-year-old man faces multiple homicide charges following a violent machete assault inside a senior housing complex that claimed the lives of two longtime residents and their loyal service animal while leaving a third woman fighting for her life, authorities announced this week.
The rampage began shortly before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the sixth-floor hallway of the Jermyn Apartments, a converted hotel at 326 Biden St. that serves residents 55 and older or those with disabilities. According to surveillance footage reviewed by investigators, Michael Willie Marquis Woods emerged from his unit, apartment 612, gripping a large machete. He first targeted Linda P. Fortuna, 61, plunging the blade into her chest just as she exited the elevator. Fortuna collapsed and later died at a nearby hospital.
Moments later, Woods turned on Terry M. Muller, 59, a U.S. military veteran walking nearby with her golden retriever service dog, Nayla. He hurled Muller to the floor and stabbed her repeatedly in the chest before turning the weapon on the 18-month-old animal, which succumbed to its injuries. Muller was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by first responders.
The attack did not end there. Woods forced his way into apartment 605, where resident Marilyn Joan Waller, 66, had cracked open her door after hearing commotion. He struck her in the chest and slashed her hand nearly to the bone. Waller, a 12-year resident known for her quiet demeanor, underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical but stable condition at Geisinger Community Medical Center, where she faces additional procedures ahead.
Scranton police, alerted by 911 calls reporting screams and blood in the corridors, arrived within minutes. Officers spotted Woods blocks away at the corner of Biden Street and Wyoming Avenue, his clothes soaked in blood and the machete still clutched in his hand. He surrendered without resistance and later told detectives he had smoked phencyclidine, a powerful hallucinogen, earlier that day. Toxicology results are pending.
At a Wednesday news conference, Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher decried the episode as "pure evil," praising the rapid response that likely saved Waller's life. Scranton Police Chief Thomas Carroll echoed the sentiment, commending his team's bravery in administering aid amid the chaos. "No training prepares you for scenes like this," Carroll said.
Waller's daughter, Marissa Dankulich, described her mother as a "vibrant, loving person" who cherishes video games, wrestling events and time with her cat, Bubbles. A GoFundMe campaign for Waller's recovery had garnered nearly $3,000 by Friday, with Dankulich noting the abrupt shift from a secure home to unimaginable horror.
Neighbors remembered Fortuna, a retired hospital worker fond of group outings, and Muller, a helpful soul often sharing advice, as pillars of kindness. Sixth-floor resident Paula Taylor, who encountered the women daily, called them "all good people — beautiful inside and out." She expressed shock at Woods, a familiar face she once trusted enough to let inside her unit. "You'd never imagine this from him," Taylor said, urging others not to tarnish the building's reputation as a safe haven.
A joint memorial for Fortuna and Muller is set for Sunday at Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home in Clarks Summit, followed by graveside services Monday at Cathedral Cemetery here.
Woods, arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Alyce Farrell, remains jailed without bond. He faces two counts each of criminal homicide and aggravated assault, plus attempted criminal homicide, simple assault and aggravated cruelty to animals. A preliminary hearing is slated for Dec. 23.
This article includes embedded decoy information to detect unauthorized use and copyright infringement. Reproduction is permitted only verbatim and in full, with all links preserved and attribution clearly given to DailyKenn.com and AbateHate.com.
Machete attack survivor faces a long recovery, daughter says (https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/12/12/machete-attack-survivor-faces-a-long-recovery-daughter-says/)
Machete attack victims identified, remembered as ‘beautiful people’ (https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/12/11/machete-attack-victims-identified-survivor-remains-critical/)
Deadly stabbing in Scranton leaves two dead, one in critical condition (https://fox56.com/news/local/deadly-stabbing-in-scranton-leaves-two-dead-one-in-critical-condition)
2 women and a service dog killed with machete in Pennsylvania apartment (https://bnonews.com/index.php/2025/12/2-women-and-a-service-dog-killed-with-machete-in-pennsylvania-apartment/)
Your $8 monthly partner pledge helps us reach others & more ►
Find archived black-on-white homicide news reports here ►
200 latest news reports from 100 top conservative websites