On November 17, 2025, William Davis Schulenberg was sentenced to 91 months in prison for an attack that occurred on May 1, 2022, at St. Olaf University. Schulenberg was convicted of one count of first-degree assault and three counts of second-degree assault after entering a dormitory party through a window and attacking a student with a knife and hammer.
According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, Schulenberg struck the victim multiple times in the head and attempted to push the knife blade into her neck. Three other students intervened during the incident; two were struck by Schulenberg with his hammer, and the third was cut with his knife before they managed to subdue him.
The case was prosecuted by Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office following a referral from Rice County Attorney Brian Mortenson under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01. This statute allows county attorneys to request the involvement of the state attorney general in criminal cases deemed appropriate by that office. Generally, criminal prosecution authority in Minnesota belongs to city and county attorneys except for specific referrals or Medicaid fraud cases.
Attorney General Ellison commented on the outcome: “Today, William Shulenberg faced justice for the appalling crimes he committed,” said Ellison. “My thoughts are with the victims and their families right now, and I’m praying for their healing. Once again, I would like to extend my gratitude to the brave people who rescued the young woman from Shulenberg’s assault. They made a split-second decision to risk their own safety in defense of one of their peers, and their actions likely saved a life that day. My office and I will continue working with our partners in law enforcement all across Minnesota to prosecute crime and protect our fellow Minnesotans.”
The Northfield Police Department and Rice County Sheriff’s Office assisted in investigating and prosecuting this case.
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office notes its primary focus is civil matters but may take up certain criminal prosecutions upon request from local authorities.
