Feb 26, 2018 2 min read

A Canonsburg man was arrested Monday morning by borough police on charges including attempted homicide for reportedly trying to kill his girlfriend during a confrontation at their home.

Patrick Joseph O’Reilly, 25, of 24 W. Pike St., is also charged with strangulation, aggravated assault and terroristic threats.

Police were called about 3:30 a.m. by another resident of the apartment building, who reported that he could hear a fight.

Police knocked on the door to O’Reilly’s apartment for several minutes but got no response. The neighbor confirmed that was the correct apartment. When police knocked again, a woman identified as O’Reilly’s 28-year-old girlfriend opened the door. Police said she was out of breath and crying.

The girlfriend was taken outside to talk to one officer while another officer stayed with O’Reilly. She told police that the two started arguing after he got home from a bar.

The woman said she went into the bedroom, but O’Reilly continued to say things to her. She said she got in O’Reilly’s face after he upset her.

O’Reilly allegedly jumped on top of her on the bed and put both of his hands over her face, suffocating her. She told police she thought she was going to die.

She said she kicked and scratched O’Reilly in an attempt to get his hands away from her mouth. He also reportedly pushed her face into the mattress in an apparent attempt to suffocate her, reportedly telling her “I’ll kill you.”

The woman told police he would not let her go the first time officers knocked on the door. She got away, but he reportedly grabbed her by the hair and threw her into a dresser. She was finally able to get away and answer the door. She was taken to Washington Hospital for treatment.

O’Reilly was arraigned before District Judge David Mark and placed in Washington County jail on $250,000 bond. He is scheduled for a March 13 preliminary hearing before Mark.