Illinois Man Indicted for Attempted Kidnapping at School

Shane Cronin, a 30-year-old Illinois man, has been indicted on multiple felony charges, including attempted kidnapping, after allegedly trying to abduct a student from Buffalo's Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School in February. Authorities say Cronin entered the school through an adjacent science museum, approached two students, and assaulted a school employee before fleeing and being arrested. The case has raised concerns about school safety and transparency amid allegations that the school district may have sought to conceal the incident and failed to notify parents. In response, the Buffalo Board of Education has authorized an independent external investigation into both the incident and the district’s response. Cronin has pleaded not guilty and remains held without bail, facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The case remains under investigation by both law enforcement and the school district.