Cannibal Corpse Guitarist Arrested on Multiple Charges

Death metal guitarist Pat O’Brien of Cannibal Corpse was arrested after a wild series of events at his home in Northdale, FL.

Cannibal Corpse Guitarist Arrested
Via WFLA

Authorities were called to O’Brien’s home after it caught fire while he was not at home. The fire set off ammunition that was inside the metal shredder’s house, adding another element of danger to the situation while firefighters battled the blaze, forcing them to retreat.

While the house was burning, O’Brien was allegedly committing a robbery at a nearby family member’s residence. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office was dispatched to the home after a burglary call from the residence after the 53-year-old entered his relative’s home without permission and refused to leave when the owners of the home pleaded with him to go.

O’Brien eventually left the house, but not before pushing a woman down who was at the scene before fleeing into the backyard where police found him hiding behind a nearby fence. The guitarist then ignored commands by the police and charged them with a knife, prompting the authorities to use their taser guns on him. The home owner stated that O’Brien broke into the house and talked to him about “the rapture,” and that “someone was after him.” The owner believed that O’Brien was hallucinating and even hid inside a closet in the house.

No one was hurt during the fire or burglary, and authorities have not stated how the fire started. There were also military-style flamethrowers found in O’Brien’s home.

O’Brien appeared in court wearing nothing but an anti-suicide vest and shackles around his hands and feet. The Hillsborough County judge hearing the case set bail at $50,000, pending passage of a court-ordered drug test.

If convicted of both charges, O’Brien could land him some serious jail time. The burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault charge could result in a potential $10,000 fine and a possible lifetime prison sentence. The second charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer could carry a 30-year prison term. So far, no charges have been made regarding the house fire.

Cannibal Corpse was recently announced as one of the openers for Slayer’s continuing farewell tour in spring of 2019. The band has not commented on its lead guitarist’s situation.

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