Update (2:25P/CST): Patrick O’Brien will be required to take a drug test before potentially being released on a $50,000 bond. O’Brien appeared in court in an ‘anti-suicide vest’, with his hands and feet restrained.
There aren’t really words for how weird this story is. Cannibal Corpse lead guitarist Pat O’Brien was arrested for burglary and assault after he broke into a Florida home and then pushed down an occupant when he was asked to leave.
From there, he ran into the backyard and hid near a fence. The police disarmed O’Brien after he charged at a responding deputy with a knife in his hand
Meanwhile, O’Brien house was on fire. Firefighters in Hillsborough County said that they found ammunition and military-style flamethrowers in O’Brien’s home which make the blaze harder to extinguish.
It’s believed that O’Brien was fleeing from the scene of his burning house when authorities arrived. He was arrested less than half a mile away from his home.
At the time of this story (11:21AM/CST), Cannibal Corpse had yet to comment on the arrest. The band just announced a North American Tour with Slayer.
The official Arrest Report reads:
On 12/10/18 at approximately 6:57 p.m., Patrick O’Brien entered 4732 Windflower Cr, to which he did not have permission from the owner/victim, nor did he know any residents at the above listed address. The residents ordered the defendant to exit the home immediately, at which point Patrick O’Brien pushed one of the residents to the ground against her will and fled into the backyard. When a deputy arrived, Patrick O’Brien would not obey his lawful commands and ran towards the deputy with a knife in his right hand. O’Brien was contained using a taser and was taken into custody. He is charged with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer with Deadly Weapon and Burglary Occupied Dwelling with Assault or Battery. The investigation is ongoing.
