Man Walking with Gun Arrested Before Reaching Niagara County School to 'Point weapon at students'

On Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024, the Niagara County Communications Center received a 911 phone call reporting a male walking down Saunders Settlement Road in the area of Shawnee Road carrying what appeared to be a BB gun and waving it around.

Sheriff's personnel responded to the area and located a male matching the description on Saunders Settlement Road just east of Baer Road. The male was carrying what appeared to be a long gun. The male was ordered to drop the weapon, which he complied to, and was quickly detained. The weapon he was carrying was a replica long gun which was not capable of firing.

After the male was detained, it was learned through an interview with him that his intentions were to walk to the Niagara-Orleans B.O.C.E.S/ Niagara Academy property, gain access to the school and point the weapon at students to instill fear in them.

Owen Weidenboerner, 21-years-old, from the Town of Cambria was charged with Attempted Menacing in the 2nd Degree. He was issued an appearance ticket for the charge, returnable for a later date in the Town of Cambria Court. Weidenboerner was also transported to a local facility for a mental health evaluation.

Man Walking with Gun Arrested Before Reaching Niagara County School to 'Point weapon at students'