Defendant Sentenced for Attempting to Kidnap Student from Buffalo Public School

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Shane K. Cronin, 31, of Lombard, Illinois, was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to 5 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at approximately 12:35 p.m., police responded to a report of an assault by an intruder inside of a school near Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in the City of Buffalo. The defendant unlawfully entered the school with the intent to commit a crime.

The defendant, who did not have permission to be inside of the school, approached two juvenile students in the hallway. During the encounter, the defendant attempted to lure and abduct one of the students. A school employee, who saw the defendant in the hallway with the students, directed him to leave. After he was confronted, the defendant attempted to cause physical injuries to the school employee by punching her in the face and shoving her to the ground. The defendant ran out of the building after a school security guard intervened. He was taken into custody nearby a short time after the incident.

Cronin was not offered a reduced plea by this office. In November 2025, he pleaded guilty to all five counts of the indictment:

• One count of Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class C violent felony)
• One count of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class D felony)
• One count of Attempted Luring a Child (Class E felony)
• One count of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree (Class E felony)
• One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A misdemeanor)

Today, final orders of protection were issued on behalf of the victims, which remain in effect until 2037.

DA Keane commends Lt. Sgt. Jason Schnelle of the Buffalo Police Department for his work in this investigation as well as ECDA victim advocate Nicole Haffa.

"I am committed to protecting the safety of children in our community. As District Attorney, I assure the residents of Erie County that any crime committed on school grounds will be thoroughly investigated by this office. I understand that this case raised many questions and concerns. My office immediately took action following the arrest of this defendant, which resulted in an indictment by the Grand Jury following a three-month investigation. This defendant was not offered a reduced plea, and I am pleased to announce that he will serve a term of incarceration for this crime. My office remains steadfast in our commitment to investigate of any allegations of crimes involving children and we will continue to aggressively pursue justice for our most vulnerable victims," said Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen C. Papia of the Special Victims Unit and Chief Danielle N. D'Abate of the Felony Trials Bureau.