Chainsaw-wielding Cohasset man arrested after hours-long standoff with police

COHASSET -- A Cohasset man was arrested Sunday night after an hours-long standoff with police that prompted a shelter-in-place for those who live nearby. Two children who were in the home are safe. 

"It's the best possible outcome we could hope for," said Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley. 

It started around 2:30 p.m. when police said 35-year-old Brien Buckley drove up onto the police station lawn and tried to cut his way inside with a chainsaw, according to police. The secretary hit a button that signaled for officers to respond to the front desk. 

At that point, the man left and police followed him to a Cushing Road home where he barricaded himself with two children under five.

"We have been to the residence before so we had a general knowledge about the layout," Quigley said. 

Officers said they were "very concerned" Buckley had other weapons in the home, he added. 

At one point, police said Buckley dangled the children in front of a second story window.

After hours of negotiations, officers went in through the back of the house while the suspect was distracted at the front. They got the children to safety and used an electronic stun gun the suspect. 

"It got to the point we became seriously concerned for the children. We hadn't heard or seen them in more than 90 minutes so the decision was made to enter and make contact with the person," Quigley told reporters. 

Police said the kids' mother was on the scene and helped provide information for negotiations. Buckley appeared to throw random items out of a window, yelled at negotiators, and asked for an ambulance. 

The SWAT team used drones to get a look at the home from above and used a lift to reach the second floor.  

"We are willing to spend the time and resources to bring it to this resolution. Again, this is the best-case scenario. Everyone is safe, especially those children," Quigley said. 

Buckley was taken to South Shore Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the arrest and for his mental health to be evaluated. 

Police said Buckley, who they are familiar with, is facing several felony charges. Those charges include assault by means of a dangerous weapon, damage to property and child endangerment. 

"It's a nice little neighborhood, people are quiet and do their own things. It's really an unhappy circumstance," neighbor Paul Grady said.