O'Hara man charged with attempted homicide in connection with domestic incident

An O’Hara man is facing charges including attempted homicide after police say he attempted to set a pool deck and a relative on fire Oct. 10.

Township police Superintendent Jay Davis said officers from O’Hara, Sharpsburg and Etna responded to a report of an assault and uncontrolled fire at a home along Kittanning Pike shortly before 7:30 a.m.

Davis said the investigation determined there was a domestic dispute between 25-year-old Yusuf Shalaby and a relative.

Police said Shalaby assaulted the victim after the victim attempted to extinguish a fire the suspect had started on the pool deck area.

The fire endangered two nearby structures. However, no further structural damage was reported.

“It was all contained to the pool deck area,” Davis said.

The victim sustained several injuries, which were described as non-life-threatening.

“During the altercation, the victim sustained injuries after being bitten, struck with a stick, and doused with ammonia,” Davis reported. “The suspect also attempted to set the victim on fire, causing minor burns.

“Following the assault, the suspect barricaded himself inside the residence and refused police commands to surrender,” Davis said.

Davis said Shalaby was eventually taken into custody without incident after about an hour of negotiations with the North Hills Special Response Negotiator Team and the township’s social worker.

The investigation is ongoing. Police are still attempting to determine the motive.

Shalaby is charged with attempted homicide, recklessly endangering another person, causing or risking a catastrophe, terroristic threats and two counts each of aggravated and simple assault.

He was was denied bail, according to online court documents.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 22 before District Judge Matthew Rudzki.