NewsLocal News

Actions

Possible spike in crime at Buffalo State raises concern across campus

Buff State student arrested for allegedly firing gun on campus
Posted at 2:06 PM, Oct 17, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-18 00:48:22-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo State College students have gotten several safety advisories about crime both on and off campus since school has started this past August. The incidents range from armed robbery to shots fired.

"This happens periodically to where we'll have several incidents to a few incidents in a shortened period of time and it heightens, understandably, the concern of the campus community," University Police Chief Peter Carey said. He heads the 31 person department and has been on the job for almost 40 years, 12 of them as chief.

He acknowledges there may be a spike in crime this fall, adding the shots fired incident on campus is extremely rare, but as to why remains unknown.

"(It's) Absolutely safe for students to go to class here and for people to visit Buffalo State and to work here," Chief Carey said.

The college's crime blotter shows almost 60 reported incidents since mid-August. Many of them closed or cleared by arrest, while others still being investigated.

"An informed campus is a safer campus," Chief Carey said. He adds that both Buffalo Police and the Erie Crime Analysis Center help in collecting intelligence with on and off campus crime. Buffalo Police, he says, also helps with patrols and investigations.

"We want to make people aware we are safe on campus. We offer a lot of services, we need their help and information," the chief said.

As for the shots fired incident, University police at Buffalo State College say a 21-year-old commuter student who allegedly fired a gun on campus in late September has been taken into custody.

12 individuals were involved in a fight at the intersection of Rockwell Road and Rees Street near lot R-15 just before 4 a.m. Sunday September 29th, during the fight the student fired a gun into the air.

After firing the gun the student, 21-year-old Isiah Doyle of New York, fled away from campus toward the Campus Walk apartment complex.

Doyle faces the following charges:

  • Second degree attempted murder
  • First degree attempted assault
  • Second degree menacing
  • First degree criminal use of a firearm
  • Second degree criminal possession of a weapon
  • Criminal possession of a weapon on university grounds

No injuries were reported as part of this incident.

University police say they continue to work with Buffalo police on incidents that have occurred in the area and they have increased patrols in the area as well.