Pepsi Center bans skaters, arrest made

Two families became involved in an altercation at the Pepsi Center on April 13, resulting in the arrest of a Lockport man.

Amherst police were called to the facility around 10 a.m. after a man reportedly dragged a boy from the ice and then argued with the boy's mother.

Charles M. Schmidl of Lockport told police that the 11-year-old boy had been shooting pucks at himself and his young son during an open skate session. Despite telling the boy to stop, he reportedly continued to shoot pucks.

Schmidl then reportedly removed the boy from the ice.

The boy's mother, who had not been on the ice, then argued with Schmidl.

Police said they documented that the boy had a red mark around his neck, which faded before the officers left the center. Police said three witnesses provided statements.

Schmidl was arrested on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. He was not taken into custody, but was told to leave the Pepsi Center, as was the boy's family.

Both parties have been banned from the facility.