Defendant to serve 20 years in prison for stabbing 3 employees at Buffalo Psychiatric Center

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced Calvin W. Haskins, 36, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi. Haskins received a determinate sentence of 20 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at approximately 9:05 a.m., the defendant intentionally stabbed three employees while inside of a housing unit for outpatient residents of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center on Forest Avenue in the City of Buffalo.

The defendant attempted to cause the death of the victim, a male employee, by stabbing him multiple times with a knife. The defendant stabbed a second victim, a female employee, as she attempted to intervene during the attack. The defendant also attempted to cause the death of a third victim, another male employee who attempted to intervene, by stabbing him multiple times.

The defendant was taken into custody by responding Buffalo Police officers. All three victims were taken by ambulance to ECMC where they received treatment for various injuries. Both male victims, who suffered serious physical injuries, were hospitalized for several days. None of the employees have returned to work, suffering from lasting impacts from their injuries.

Haskins pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder in the second degree (class B violent felonies) and one count of assault in the second degree (class D violent felony). Haskins entered a guilty plea to the highest counts in the indictment in November 2025.

Today, final orders of protection were issued on behalf of the three victims and three witnesses.

Keane commends officer Tanya Felski and officer Michael Troiano of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation, as well as Tina Pilkey, chief of ECDA victim/witness services bureau.

“These three employees of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center were working to help and rehabilitate this defendant when he repeatedly stabbed them with a knife that he had hidden in his sock,” Keane said. “The victims continue to recover from life-altering physical injuries and remain traumatized by this violent attack. I hope that this defendant being convicted and sentenced to significant term of incarceration helps them continue to heal from this horrific crime.”

The case was prosecuted by Chief Danielle N. D’Abate and Assistant District Attorney Kevin L. Southern of the felony trials bureau.