Illinois man charged with assault following BPS incident
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Illinois man faces an assault charge, a burglary charge and other charges following an incident that occurred at the Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet school Tuesday, Buffalo police said.
The school, located at 1 Martin Luther King Park, serves grades 3 through 8.
Officials responded to an assault in progress call around 12:30 p.m. and learned that an unknown man entered the school through the Buffalo Museum of Science. Shane Cronin, 30, of Lombard, I.L., allegedly approached a young student then punched an assistant principal when they tried to intervene.
A brief shelter in place ensued, according to a spokesperson with Buffalo Public Schools. Crisis Support Teams have been onsite for emotional support.
The assistant principal suffered minor injuries.
Cronin fled to hide in the museum, officials said. He was apprehended without incident and a temporary extreme risk protection order was granted by a judge.
Cronin was charged with the following:
third-degree assault
second-degree burglary
endangering the welfare of a child
second-degree harassment
According to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Cronin became “extremely combative” when he arrived at the Erie County Holding Center and three deputies and one sergeant were transported to ECMC to be evaluated. Officials said another deputy had minor cuts and scrapes, but was treated and remained on duty.
Cronin was charged with four counts of second-degree assault and four counts of second-degree obstructing governmental administration.
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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.
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