Barricade Shooting At Cops Lands Chesco Man 10-20 Years In Prison

MALVERN, PA —A 36-year-old East Goshen man was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison for firing a dozen shots at the West Chester Emergency Response Team during a standoff at his home.

Stephen Buxton barricaded himself in his home, threatening to kill himself and family members in February 2021, according to investigators.

Judge Alita Rovita sentenced Buxton in the Chester County Justice Center on 12 counts of aggravated assault and two counts of terroristic threats.

District Attorney Deb Ryan on Friday commended the Westtown-East Goshen Regional and Willistown police departments and the West Chester Emergency Response team for heroism.

“The night of Feb. 11, 2021, could have ended tragically,” Ryan said. "The defendant’s actions that night speak volumes about what little regard he had for human life – that of his family, neighbors, and police.

"This sentence is justice for law enforcement and the risks they take every day.”

According to court records:

The Westtown-East Goshen police went to the 900 block of Cornwallis Drive on Feb. 11, 2021 after a woman reported that Buxton threatened to kill her, her daughter, his father himself and police.

After three hours of utilizing de-escalation techniques and crisis negotiation, the defendant fired 13 shots from a .45 caliber Glock handgun, striking an armored vehicle with emergency personnel inside and outside.

Twelve law enforcement officers were in the defendant’s line of fire during this incident.

The defendant was injured after police discharged two rounds in response. He was treated at Paoli Hospital before being taken into custody.

Ryan’s office ruled the office-involved shooting was justified.

First Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry and Deputy District Attorney Bill Judge prosecuted the case.