Massachusetts man accused of using chainsaw at police department, dangling children from window pleads not guilty

A Massachusetts man has pleaded not guilty after police say he used a chainsaw at a police department and dangling two young children from a window.

Brien J. Buckley, 35, was arraigned at Quincy District Court and entered a plea of not guilty according to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.

The Court ordered Buckley to be evaluated at Bridgewater State Hospital. The Commonwealth reserved its rights to ask for bail and to revoke his bail on an open domestic case when he returns to court.

According to Cohasset Police, on Sunday, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Cohasset Police Officers received a call from the civilian desk attendant at police headquarters reporting that a male, later determined to be Buckley, had driven over the lawn of the police station, hit a tree on the property, exited his pickup truck, and then entered the lobby revving a gas-powered chain saw. 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.

After causing damage to the security door and mail packages, Buckley fled the police station in the truck he arrived in. He was tracked by officers to his home on Cushing Road. A perimeter was established, and additional units were dispatched to the area. Buckley began yelling at officers from inside the home and dangled two small children in front of a second-story window. Buckley refused to come out of the home. A tactical alert was called, which drew police officers in from surrounding towns, including Hingham, Hull, Scituate, and Norwell Police.

De-escalation attempts failed. The regional SWAT team and hostage negotiators from the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (METRO-LEC) were called to the scene.

After several hours of negotiations, SWAT supervisors sought permission from Cohasset command staff to enter the home due to the increasingly clear and present danger to the children. Buckley was taken into custody after resisting arrest, with officers using a Taser.

The two children were reunited with family members at the scene.

Buckley was transported by ambulance under police supervision to an area hospital, then returned to Cohasset police headquarters for booking.

Buckley’s next court date is January 6th. The hospital commitment is eligible for extension, should the Court decide that is necessary.

The defendant is represented by Denis Bergin. Assistant District Attorney Robert Stewart appeared for the Commonwealth.