Report: Two Suspended BPD Officers Facing Assault Charges, Arraignment On Saturday

According to Madison Carter of WKBW, the two suspended Buffalo police officers (Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski) who were seen in a video shoving a 75-year-old protester to the ground on Thursday evening will be arraigned in court tomorrow morning on second-degree assault charges. That would classify as a Class D felony.

The incident, which took place in Niagara Square just after 8 p.m. on Thursday, led to national headlines and social media backlash. It resulted in the two officers' suspension without pay.

Here is the text message about the charges and arraignment forwarded to WKBW:

"Please share this. Arraignment for McCabe and Torgalski is at 9am tomorrow city court. Nobody is allowed in, but can gather out front in support. These guys really need us right now! Be aware the DA's office will probably leak their arraignment time so the press may be there. Meet at 8am and BPD union office @ 68 court st at 8AM. Wear your uniform. We need all the support we can get. We'll walk over to city court right before the Arraignment."

District Attorney John J. Flynn has said the officers have not yet been arrested, according to WKBW's Madison Carter.

According to WIVB, both officers pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree assault in today's court arraignment. Both have been released on their own recognizance and are due back in court on July 20th.

On Friday, news came of the entire Buffalo Police Department's Emergency Response Team resigning (57 officers) as a show of solidarity towards the two officers.

You can find a link to the video of the protester being shoved to the ground by the two BPD officers below, although we warn it is graphic.