Just after sunset on Tuesday, what seemed like a normal winter evening in downtown Scranton turned into a scene of unimaginable horror when a machete-wielding neighbor launched a vicious attack inside the Hotel Jermyn Apartments. The assault left two beloved residents dead, another fighting for her life in a hospital, and a cherished service dog killed in the chaos.
Terry Muller, 59, a military veteran known for her warmth and quiet strength, and 61‑year‑old Linda P. Fortuna were found fatally wounded on the sixth floor of the aging yet close‑knit apartment building that overlooks Scranton’s bustling streets. Muller’s golden retriever service dog, Nayla, was also killed, a detail that has deepened the community’s anguish given the animal’s role in Muller’s daily life.
A third victim, 66‑year‑old Marilyn Joan Waller, was discovered gravely injured and rushed to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition. Friends and neighbors describe Waller as a lively presence, someone who loved games, thrift store hunts, and time with her beloved cat, Bubbles. Her daughter has since launched a fundraiser to support her ongoing care and recovery.
Police say the suspect, 38‑year‑old Michael Willie Marquis Woods, lived on the same floor and was taken into custody just outside the building, still holding the bloodied machete used in the attack. Responding officers arrived after frantic 911 calls reported screams and visible blood in the hallway, and they credit swift action with preventing further tragedy. No additional injuries were reported.
During a press briefing Wednesday, Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher called the scene “pure evil” and detailed the brutality captured on security cameras. According to law enforcement, Woods allegedly smoked phencyclidine (PCP) before the assault, though investigators are still looking into what, if any, motive lay behind the terrifying outburst.
Inside the sixth‑floor corridor and adjacent apartments, officers found blood‑soaked floors, a shattered sense of safety, and the grim reality of swift violence. Fortuna was found near the elevator, Muller inside her own apartment, and Nayla beneath a bed. Waller, her injuries severe, was discovered in another unit. A witness reported hearing screams as the suspect moved through the hallway, and reflected on the shock of seeing someone they knew so well turn into a perpetrator in an instant.
Woods now faces multiple charges, including two counts of criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and aggravated cruelty to animals. He remains held without bail, with a preliminary hearing set for December 23. As Scranton residents grapple with the loss of Fortuna, Muller, and Nayla, they are also rallying around Waller and her family, offering support and shared grief in the wake of a senseless act that has shaken this quiet corner of Pennsylvania to its core.
