COHASSET -- Brown paper covers the interior security door at the Cohasset Police Station. Beneath the wrapping lie the scars of a bizarre and violent attack Sunday that authorities say involved a man and a chainsaw.
Police say that around 2:30 PM, Brien Buckley drove his truck over the station lawn, hit a tree -- then proceeded to attack a package left outside with a chainsaw.
“He then proceeded into the lobby of the police station and began to attack the door with the saw,” said Det. Lt. Michael Lopes.
On the other side of that door was a civilian desk attendant.
“This really got to her... made her really really nervous,” Lopes said. “She called 9-1-1... hit a panic button that we have in the station and officers that were on the road responded here immediately.”
Buckley never got through the metal door. Instead, he left the police station and returned to his residence on Cushing Road. Police say he barricaded himself in with his two young children. That set up a stand-off that eventually involved police from four area towns, as well as the regional SWAT team.
Hostage negotiators were also brought in. But the stand-off ended when authorities raided the house and took Buckley into custody. Police say he resisted arrest and Tasers were used. The children were unharmed.
“Our concern is obviously the well being of every one, especially the children,” Lopes said. “They’re innocent. They’re just unfortunately present when these things happen and we wanted to make sure we ended this peacefully and we did.”
Keith Conforti lives near Brien Buckley. He watched the stand-off unfold until a shelter-in-place order sent him home.
“Brien has had some past issues, but things have been pretty quiet there for a while,” he said. “I wish him well, I wish his kids well and his wife.”
Buckley faces thirteen charges -- ranging from Disorderly Conduct to Destruction of Property to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
He was arraigned in Quincy District Court Monday -- a doctor determining Buckley should undergo a psychiatric evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital. He is next scheduled to be in court on January 6, 2023.
Det. Lt. Lopes said the police department will likely be reviewing its procedures and policies in light of the attack.
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