SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Two residents are dead, another is fighting for life, and a man is in custody after a stabbing inside the Jermyn Apartments late Tuesday night. Scranton police formally announced the details at a press conference Wednesday, joined by Police Chief Tom Carroll, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, and members of the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office.
The attack unfolded around 6:15 p.m. on the sixth floor of the downtown high-rise at 326 Biden Street. According to police and FOX56 reporting, officers arrived to find multiple victims suffering from severe stab wounds. All three victims lived in the building.
A dog inside the apartment was also found with stab wounds and died.
Two victims were pronounced dead, while a third remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
Police identified the suspect as Michael Willie Marquis Woods, 38, who was arrested shortly after the incident. Woods has been charged with homicide, and additional charges are expected as the investigation progresses.
Police say Woods used a machete in the attacks.
Authorities said the attack appears to have occurred inside one apartment, though the motive has not been released. Investigators continued to process the scene Wednesday, and the 300 block of Biden Street remained restricted to foot and vehicle traffic for several hours.
Chief Carroll called the incident “a horrific act of violence” and praised officers and EMS crews for their rapid response. The mayor and prosecutors emphasized that the suspect is in custody and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
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Police urge anyone with additional information to contact Scranton detectives as the investigation continues.