On the morning of February 11, 2025, what should have been a normal day at Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School in Buffalo nearly turned into tragedy. A man, later identified as 30-year-old Shane Cronin of Illinois, gained access to the school through an unsecured entrance shared with the Buffalo Museum of Science. He didn’t come in for a tour. He came to take children.
According to Buffalo Police, Cronin attempted to abduct two small students—a boy and a girl—near the school library area. An assistant principal intervened just in time, and Cronin reportedly assaulted her before fleeing into the museum, where he was later apprehended.
The horror of that moment is only eclipsed by what happened next...
Detective Richard Hy of the Buffalo Police Department’s Special Victims Unit later revealed that the school never notified the boy’s family about the incident. Instead of transparency, Buffalo Public Schools allegedly opted for damage control: deleting surveillance footage and failing to inform the second victim’s family until police independently confirmed the existence of a second child in danger.
Thankfully, a staff member had the courage to capture cellphone footage of the incident and turn it over to investigators. That single act may have prevented the cover-up from succeeding entirely.
This isn’t speculation—it’s documented. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged that the boy’s family was only informed after prosecutors viewed the video and identified him as the second intended victim.
Let that sink in: a child was nearly abducted under the district’s watch, and the school chose not to tell his parents.
Parents and community advocates are now sounding the alarm. Groups have begun organizing forums and circulating petitions demanding transparency, safety reforms, and accountability from district leadership. But the district has so far remained tight-lipped, hiding behind vague legal statements and stonewalling reporters.
“This is about more than just one school,” said a local parent who asked to remain anonymous. “This is about a culture of secrecy in Buffalo Public Schools that puts kids in danger.”
And they’re right. This isn’t the first time Buffalo’s school district has faced criticism for its handling of student safety. In previous incidents, including assaults and misconduct, families have complained of being kept in the dark or receiving delayed, vague communication from school officials.
This attempted abduction—and the attempt to erase it—follows a chilling pattern. When the safety of students clashes with the district’s public image, it seems Buffalo Public Schools chooses silence. But this time, they may have gone too far.
A man tried to steal children. The school tried to delete the proof. And no one told the families. As of this writing, the district has still not provided a full accounting of its actions. But the community is watching—and demanding better.
The current principal of Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School is Mark Shoemaker, as listed on the school's official staff directory.
Given the serious nature of the attempted abduction incident and subsequent allegations of a cover-up, it's appropriate to scrutinize the role of the school's leadership. As principal, Mr. Shoemaker would be responsible for ensuring that all entrances are secured during school hours; coordinating immediate actions during emergencies, including notifying law enforcement and initiating lockdowns if necessary; Informing parents and guardians about incidents involving their children in a timely and transparent manner; Overseeing the handling of surveillance footage and other records, especially those pertinent to student safety and legal investigations.
If surveillance footage was deleted and families were not promptly informed, these actions—or inactions—fall under the purview of the principal's responsibilities. It's essential for the community to seek clarity on these matters to ensure accountability and prevent future lapses in student safety.
Because our kids are not collateral damage in a PR crisis.
Chris O'Neil © Trash Media Group
https://www.trashmediagroup.com
2025
