Photo by Gregory Bacon

SOUTH DAYTON — A farm owner who was shot multiple times early Tuesday is in guarded condition at a Buffalo hospital.

The New York State Police said Nelson Noble, 53, was shot around 6 a.m. on his property, Noble Farm, on Route 83 in the town of Cherry Creek. Noble was transported to Erie County Medical Center.

Pine Valley Central School closed Tuesday due to the proximity of the farm.

In a statement, the state police said the “incident is not believed to further endanger community or the school.”

According to a post on the district’s Facebook page: “Pine Valley Central School District will be CLOSED today, Tuesday 10/1/2019 due to safety concerns. We take the safety of all students and staff seriously. Stay home and stay SAFE Panthers.”

Volunteers with the Cherry Creek Fire Department in addition to Chautauqua County EMS also responded to the incident.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and State Police Forensic Investigation Unit are assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the state police at 679-1520 or 585-344-6200.