Boston Firefighter charged with attacking 68-year-old man in Faneuil Hall

BOSTON — Suffolk County prosecutors identify a suspect charged with attacking a 68-year-old man in Faneuil Hall as a city of Boston employee.

According to investigators, 43-year-old Robert Buckley of Plymouth threw the victim on the ground outside J.J. Donovan’s Tavern early Sunday morning.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said the victim, who was out with relatives for a family celebration, suffered a severe gash on his forehead that will require plastic surgery and suffered a serious neck injury that “could have life-long ramifications”.

Buckley, 43, was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on a charge of assault and battery on a person over 60.

The DA’s office said that the victim’s family was able to identify his attacker as a man wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans with red underwear protruding from the waistband and said he fled down Congress Street after the attack.

Responding officers located a man matching the description on Atlantic Avenue and High Street and were able to verify Buckley’s identity with the family.

“It’s tragic that this innocent man is out celebrating with his family and suddenly ends up on the ground with injuries that could impact the rest of his life, and tragic that it all happened in front of his family. Our victim witness advocates are in contact with the victim and his family and will stay by their side throughout the course of the prosecution,” Hayden said.

Buckley was held on $2,000 bail and ordered to stay away from J.J. Donovan’s and the victim’s family.

He’s scheduled to return to court on February 16th for a probable cause hearing.

The Boston Fire Department put out the following statement:

“Boston firefighters are held to a high standard and are expected to be examples of public service for our communities. The firefighter involved in this incident was placed on administrative leave on Monday, and the incident is being investigated.”

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