On March 22, 1901 in New York City May Buckley was almost gunned down by Robert Hayden Moulton, whom she may or may not have been married to. Moulton fired rounds that struck theatrical manager Alex F. Dingwell and J.G. Leffingwell. Moulton was found to be under the influence of morphine poisoning and alcohol addiction and taken to Bellevue Hospital. Buckley was dining with her aunt in a restaurant was in the company of Dingwell and Leffingwell.