Crime & Safety
Perceived Party Insult Prompted Teen to Stab Naperville Girl's Parents: Prosecutors (Update)
Zachary Machnikowski, 18, allegedly broke into their house after the party and attacked with a 12-inch kitchen knife.
UPDATED STORY; 6:20 p.m.
The 18-year-old Naperville man accused of stabbing a husband and wife in their beds will appear in court Thursday for a judge to decide on bail.
The DuPage County state’s attorney’s office has asked that Zachary Machnikowski be denied bail. He faces two counts of attempted first degree murder, home invasion and residential burglary in connection with a Tuesday morning attack on William and Mary Lenk.
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Machnikowski was allegedly upset that the Lenks’ daughter made fun of him at a party earlier in the night and he decided to get back at her by attacking her parents.
Machnikowski entered their house in the 900 block of Iroquois Avenue at about 1:15 a.m., police said, armed himself with a 12-inch knife he took from the kitchen and went upstairs to the couple’s bedroom. Machnikowski then stabbed the couple as they were asleep in their bed, going after the husband first, according to police.
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After the husband fought with Machnikowski, the teen-ager fled, police said.
Police arrived at the house at about 1:25 a.m. and found the husband and wife in the living room covered in blood. Each had been stabbed in the face, head, hands and abdomen. Their daughter had yet to return home from the party.
Officers apprehended the teen within minutes of his escape from the house, police said.
“Thankfully, the injuries sustained by the couple in this case do not appear to be life-threatening,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.
On Wednesday morning, Machnikowski, who resides at 1170 Spring Garden, Naperville, appeared in court with his grandparents. Prosecutors said Machnikowski said he initially intended to take liquor from the house.
“He initially went into the home to steal liquor, but while he was inside he decided he wanted to hurt (the girl’s) parents because he felt that since (she) had hurt him, hurting her parents would in turn, hurt (her),” prosecutors allege in a court filing.
His public defender asked that Machnikowski be held without bond until Thursday while his office reviews other cases pending for the teen.
William Lenk was still at Edward Hospital and in good condition as of Wednesday. Mary Lenk was treated and released.
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