Chief: Man with chainsaw damaged Cohasset police station, dangled kids near window during standoff

COHASSET, Mass. — A chainsaw-wielding man who attempted to cut his way into the Cohasset police station before he barricaded himself in his home and dangled his two young children near a window during a tense, hourslong standoff is expected to face a judge Monday.

Brien Buckley, 35, of Cohasset, is slated to be arraigned Monday in Quincy District Court on charges including assault by means of a dangerous weapon with a chainsaw, three counts of damage to property, two counts of child endangerment, resisting arrest, driving to endanger, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and wanton destruction of a tree.

Officers had to break into the Buckley’s home and use a stun gun to remove him from his young son and daughter, both under five years old, according to Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley.

Suspect in Cohasset chainsaw incident escorted into court by police

Buckley, who is known to the department, attempted to enter the lobby of the police station by cutting through a security door with a chainsaw after driving his truck onto the lawn, Quigley said. A desk attendant was able to safely barricade herself and call on officers to help her. Buckley then allegedly fled to his home.

In a news release, police said, “Buckley began to damage the lobby of the station with the saw and was chopping at the security door, attempting to gain entry into a restricted area where the attendant was.”

Quigley told Boston 25 that Buckley called the department earlier in the day and asked if officers would help babysit his children. When they declined, he returned hours later with a chainsaw, Quigley added.

Photos from inside the department showed the damaged door covered in brown paper and police tape.

“Went in and basically terrorized the civilian desk attendant who was behind the security door and security glass, but he did damage to the lobby with the chainsaw and then fled the police station,” said Quigley.

Officers tracked Buckley back to the residence, where a prolonged standoff between he and officers ensued. Police attempted to peacefully negotiated with him for over two hours, before Quigley said they couldn’t wait any longer.

“We hadn’t seen or heard from the kids in over 2 hours, hour and a half two hours and at that point the decision was made that we have to go in,” said Quigley. “We waited for an opportunity where he was far enough from the kids where we could enter the home and take him into custody.”

At one point during the standoff, Buckley dangled his children in front of a second-floor window, according to investigators.

At 3:40 p.m., Cohasset Police told residents living within a quarter-mile of Norfolk Road and Cushing Road to shelter in place while officers attempted to negotiate with Buckley.

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According to police, the children were removed safely from the house and are in the care of family members.

Neighbor Paul Brady told Boston 25 News he was immensely concerned for the children’s safety.

“Extremely concerned. I’ve seen them running around the neighborhood and playing nice, beautiful little children,” said Brady. “It’s a quiet neighborhood and things like this just don’t happen. It is a really odd set of circumstances right now.”

Buckley was transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation before being released and transferred back to police headquarters.

An investigation remains ongoing.

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