Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 34-year-old Calvin W. Haskins of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on an indictment charging him with the following offenses:
- Two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felonies)
- Two counts of Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felonies)
- One count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” violent felony)
It is alleged that on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at approximately 9:05 a.m., the defendant intentionally stabbed three employees while inside of a housing unit for outpatient residents of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center on Forest Avenue in the City of Buffalo.
The defendant is accused of attempting to the cause death of the victim, a male employee, by stabbing him multiple times with a knife. The defendant allegedly stabbed a second victim, a female employee, as she attempted intervene during the attack. The defendant is accused of attempting to the cause death of a third victim, another male employee who attempted to intervene, by stabbing him multiple times.
The defendant was taken into custody by responding Buffalo Police officers. All three victims were taken by ambulance to ECMC where they received treatment for various injuries. Both male victims, who suffered serious physical injuries, were hospitalized for several days.
At his arraignment in Buffalo City Court, the defendant was held without bail pending the results of a forensic examination. He has since been found competent to stand trial.
Haskins is scheduled to return on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charges, Haskins faces a maximum sentence of 57 years in prison.
Temporary orders of protection were issued on behalf of the three victims.
Acting DA Keane commends Officer Tanya Felski and Officer Michael Troiano of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Christine M. Garvey and Kevin L. Southern of the Felony Trials Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.