A Pittsburgh police officer suffered multiple deep cuts to his head Sunday night when he tried to subdue a Squirrel Hill resident who was upset about neighbors playing guitars and drums in their front yard, authorities said.
The man, Charles C. O’Leary, 48, had complained about people playing music at about 7:30 p.m. in the front yard of 3157 Shady Ave.
O’Leary asked the neighbors to turn down the music, and the neighbors told police they did, according to a criminal complaint filed against O’Leary.
Police said O’Leary became “irate and physically aggressive” and threw a large, heavy drum set at one of the men.
The alleged victim told police he didn’t need medical treatment but wanted to press charges against O’Leary.
When police interviewed O’Leary, he became agitated when they asked for a driver’s license, he started swearing at police and he asked officers to shoot him, according to the criminal complaint.
O’Leary refused to comply with police, snatched handcuffs from Officer Shane Kearns and punched Kearns several times, causing “multiple deep lacerations,” the complaint said.
While getting punched, Kearns was able to stun O’Leary with a TASER, handcuff him and take him into custody, police said.
Kearns was treated at UPMC Mercy Hospital and it took 14 stitches to close his wounds, the complaint said.
O’Leary also was treated at the hospital before being taken to Allegheny County Jail.
He is facing charges including aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, simple assault and trespassing. Bail was set at $25,000.
