Buffalo man accused of stabbing three people at psychiatric center

Acting Erie County Prosecutor Michael J. Keane announces that 34 years 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 second degree murder (class “B” violent felonies)
• Two counts of first degree assault (class “B” violent felonies)
• One count of second-degree assault (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 an outpatient housing unit at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center on Forest Avenue , in the city of Buffalo.

The defendant is accused of attempting to cause the death of the victim, a male employee, by stabbing him several times with a knife. The accused allegedly stabbed a second victim, an employee, as she tried to intervene during the attack. The defendant is accused of trying to cause the death of a third victim, another male employee who tried to intervene, by stabbing him several times.

The accused was taken into custody by Buffalo Police officers. All three victims were transported by ambulance to ECMC where they were treated for various injuries. The two male victims were seriously injured and were hospitalized for several days.

During his arraignment in Buffalo Municipal 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 pretrial conference. He remains held without bail.

If convicted of the top charges, Haskins faces a maximum sentence of 57 years in prison.

Interim protection orders were issued on behalf of all three victims.

Acting Prosecutor 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.

Like all people accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.