Defendant Pleads Guilty to All Charges for Attempting to Kidnap Student From Inside Buffalo Public School

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Shane K. Cronin, 31, of Lombard, Illinois, pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to all counts of the indictment. Cronin entered a guilty plea to the following offenses:

• 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)

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, who has been held without bail since his arrest, faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Temporary orders of protection remain in effect.

DA Keane commends Lt. Sgt. Jason Schnelle of the Buffalo Police Department for his work in this investigation.

"I understand this incident has raised questions and heightened concerns about the safety and well-being of children in the Buffalo Public School District. I assure the public that this office remains committed to the thorough investigation and prosecution of any crime involving a child. Our office did not offer a reduced plea in this case. This defendant pleaded guilty to the entire indictment handed down by the grand jury. We are committed to upholding the law, pursuing justice for victims, and preserving the integrity of the investigative process. I will have no further comment on this case until the court has sentenced this defendant," 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.